INCREASING THE NUMBER OF 'GREEN' CARS

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SINGAPORE - To encourage test-bedding of clean technologies, green vehicles brought in here can enjoy the waiver of Additional Registration Fees, Certificate of Entitlement and custom duties for six years - an extension from the current two years.

The Transport Technology Innovation Development Scheme will also be enhanced to allow up to 1,300 vehicles, up from the current quota of 300. The total amount of tax waived is estimated to be about $75 million.

Imported used green vehicles will also get to enjoy the Green Vehicle Rebate, which grants a 40-per-cent cut in the main car tax. Currently, only brand new green vehicles qualify for the rebate, but the scope will be extended from July.

However, the extension of the rebate will not be applicable to imported used Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and vehicles which are required to be brand new at the point of registration, such as taxis.

More details will be released by the National Environment Agency and the Land Transport Authority next month.

Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw welcomed the move to allow imported used green vehicles here as returning Singaporeans and expatriates could bring their green vehicles for use here. "Overall, it is a small development in the scheme of greening private cars but it will increase the number of green cars on the roads," he said. Leong Wee Keat

From TODAY, Tuesday, 23-Feb-2010

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A $20m jolt for electric cars

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

New taskforce to look at introducing them in Singapore

A MULTI-AGENCY taskforce has been set up to lead tests and research into the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore from next year.

Some $20 million has been set aside to get the Republic plugged into such vehicles. The programme is expected to last until 2012 and based on the results gathered, the taskforce will evaluate the scope for large-scale adoption of EVs in future.

The taskforce, to be chaired by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), will see the involvement of different ministries and statutory boards, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Economic Development Board, and the National Environment Agency.

Also involved will be key industry players such as auto manufacturers and technology companies, who will be able to help examine infrastructure requirements and new business models arising from EVs, as well as to identify industry and research and development (R&D) opportunities.

Mr Lawrence Wong, chief executive of EMA said Singapore is well-positioned for the deployment of EVs because of its compact urban environment and robust electrical grid and IT infrastructure.

He added that the EV test bed will also provide a platform for companies to gauge different vehicle prototypes and charging technologies, allowing EV owners to sell unused power back to the Republic's electricity grid.

"In particular, if EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods, and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help to level the demand (load) on the grid, thereby enabling our power system to operate more efficiently," said the EMA head.

The EV test-bed offers potential economic benefits for manufacturing and R&D in areas such as battery technology, power electronics and electric drive systems, which could generate new and high-value investments.

So far, two groups — Renault-Nissan and Keppel Energy — have signed a memorandum of understanding with the EV taskforce. Renault-Nissan will supply EVs to the Singapore market and share its knowledge of such vehicles to develop common standards, while Keppel Energy will focus on developing charging stations and other infrastructure to support the test-bedding of EVs.

In January, the LTA gave approval for a new electric scooter to be brought to Singapore by local company Zeco Scooters.

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

One of Renault-Nissan's Electric vehicles.

RENAULT-NISSAN

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From TODAY, News – Thursday, 07-May-2009

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A $20m jolt for electric cars

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

New taskforce to look at introducing them in Singapore

A MULTI-AGENCY taskforce has been set up to lead tests and research into the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore from next year.

Some $20 million has been set aside to get the Republic plugged into such vehicles. The programme is expected to last until 2012 and based on the results gathered, the taskforce will evaluate the scope for large-scale adoption of EVs in future.

The taskforce, to be chaired by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), will see the involvement of different ministries and statutory boards, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Economic Development Board, and the National Environment Agency.

Also involved will be key industry players such as auto manufacturers and technology companies, who will be able to help examine infrastructure requirements and new business models arising from EVs, as well as to identify industry and research and development (R&D) opportunities.

Mr Lawrence Wong, chief executive of EMA said Singapore is well-positioned for the deployment of EVs because of its compact urban environment and robust electrical grid and IT infrastructure.

He added that the EV test bed will also provide a platform for companies to gauge different vehicle prototypes and charging technologies, allowing EV owners to sell unused power back to the Republic's electricity grid.

"In particular, if EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods, and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help to level the demand (load) on the grid, thereby enabling our power system to operate more efficiently," said the EMA head.

The EV test-bed offers potential economic benefits for manufacturing and R&D in areas such as battery technology, power electronics and electric drive systems, which could generate new and high-value investments.

So far, two groups — Renault-Nissan and Keppel Energy — have signed a memorandum of understanding with the EV taskforce. Renault-Nissan will supply EVs to the Singapore market and share its knowledge of such vehicles to develop common standards, while Keppel Energy will focus on developing charging stations and other infrastructure to support the test-bedding of EVs.

In January, the LTA gave approval for a new electric scooter to be brought to Singapore by local company Zeco Scooters.

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

One of Renault-Nissan's Electric vehicles.

RENAULT-NISSAN

-----

From TODAY, News – Thursday, 07-May-2009

Related articles by Zemanta

• Rumor mill: Nissan to launch hybrid Z (reviews.cnet.com)
• Zippy electric motorcycle comes at a price (news.cnet.com)
• UK's national grid 'ready' for e-car expansion (reghardware.co.uk)
• Scientists say device charges cars smarter (msnbc.msn.com)
• Washington scientists say their device recharges cars smarter (thenewstribune.com)
• PNNL researchers develop standard smart charger for plug-in vehicles (engadget.com)
• Project aims to make communities plug-in ready (news.cnet.com)
• 'Green News Report' - May 5, 2009 (bradblog.com)
• How a "smart charger" could ease transition to electric cars (scientificamerican.com)