Singapore to build SE Asia’s largest EV fast-charging hub

Volt Singapore, a subsidiary of Keppel Infrastructure, announced plans on Monday to construct Southeast Asia’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging hub in Singapore. This facility will cater to both commercial and passenger electric cars.

Boasting up to 80 charging points, the new hub will be able to serve buses, taxis, private vehicles, and other EVs, making it the most extensive public fast-charging site within a single location across Southeast Asia.

Volt was awarded a 15-year contract to develop and operate the hub by a company under ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s leading taxi operator and owner of SBS Transit, the city-state’s largest public bus operator. The contract value remains undisclosed.

The project’s initial phase in western Singapore is set to be operational by the first half of 2026. It will include charging points with capacities of 360 kW and 120 kW, allowing for electric car charging in as little as 10 minutes, as per Volt’s plans.

Singapore aims to eliminate internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040. Electric vehicles made up one-third of new car registrations from January to May this year, up from 18.1 per cent in 2023.

Volt is dedicated to supporting commercial fleets and electric buses transition to electric vehicles, stated Volt Executive Director Lim Yong Wei. This will reduce emissions and support sustainable transport.

Volt, a joint venture between Keppel Infrastructure and China’s Wanbang Digital Energy, has won a new contract. They were chosen by a subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority to install fast-charging points across Singapore.

Singapore’s commitment to greening its transport sector extends beyond private vehicles. ComfortDelGro aims to transition 90 per cent of its car fleet and 50 per cent of its buses to cleaner energy options, including fully electric and hybrid models, by 2030.

Ride-hailing platform Grab, headquartered in Singapore, has also pledged to replace its entire Singaporean fleet with low-emission vehicles by 2030. This move aligns with their goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

With these advancements, the number of EV chargers in Singapore is projected to reach 60,000 by 2030, reflecting a substantial growth from the existing network of over 7,100 charging points.

Attribution: The Nikkei Asia