Electric vehicle population in Singapore more than doubled in 2021

First published on The Straits Times Online

Singapore's electric vehicle (EV) population more than doubled last year, growing from 1,397 vehicles in end-2020 to 3,713 vehicles in end-2021.

Spurred by government incentives, a wider selection of models and the arrival of American automaker Tesla, this growth spurt was largely driven by a sharp increase in the number of electric cars - particularly in the second half of 2021.

On the supply side, the biggest change has been the introduction of new EV models here, said Mr Niels de Boer, programme director of the future mobility solutions group at Nanyang Technological University's Energy Research Institute.

He cited the sale of Tesla's popular Model 3, new models brought in by MG, Audi and Mercedes, as well as brands such as Hyundai and Kia expanding their EV ranges.

Mr de Boer expects the brand's dominance to wane when the supply of EV models by bigger players increases. "I am convinced that if you look to 2025, there will be many players on the market and it will be very competitive," he said.

Mr de Boer said the authorities have given a clear message that the future is electric.

"I see this (upward) trend continuing and accelerating. Maybe not that fast immediately, but definitely in the long run," he added.