Electric vehicle (EV) ownership naturally entails numerous charging stops, but SP Group makes EV charging a simple, fuss-free and convenient affair.

SINGAPORE

Undeniably, electric vehicles are the way forward towards sustainability and a greener future. In 2023 alone, EVs accounted for over 18-percent of Singapore car registrations, a five-fold increase since 2021. While internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles still take up the vast majority of vehicle registrations, the current trajectory of EV adoption would see a significant uptake in electric vehicle registrations in the coming years.

To cope with the increasing number of EVs on the road, the government has set a target for 60,000 EV charging points across the island by 2030. This is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 target.

Currently, electric vehicles may still be more expensive than their petrol-powered counterparts, due to their batteries making up a major portion of their cost. But to counter the higher vehicular cost, and to entice you to choose a greener way of getting around, the government is offering various incentives to lower the cost of your electric vehicle purchase.

These incentives include the EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) and reworked vehicle emissions scheme (VES). This means that buyers can potentially net up to S$40,000, ensuring that EVs are more comparable in price to same-segment combustion-engined vehicles.

If you have made it this far, we want you to know that living with an EV is easier than you think. And by knowing the costs incurred and savings accrued, you will realise that electric vehicle ownership is a cost-effective mobility solution. Not to mention, it is also a more environmentally-friendly way to get around.

Here are some myths we would like to clear about electric vehicle ownership.

1 EV charging takes too long, I do not have time to wait for my car to get charged

EV charging can be broken down into two basic types: Alternating Current and Direct Current charging, more commonly referred to as AC and DC charging. SP Group allows you to choose between both, giving you more flexibility to suit your needs.

At a charging point, AC power from the grid is converted to DC power by an EV’s onboard charger (OBC).

AC charging, which typically comprises your 7.4 kW, 22 kW and 43 kW chargers, usually takes 4-8 hours, depending on the charger’s power rating or the car’s OBC. An AC charger is ideal for drivers who wish to charge their cars while at work, at the malls or when they have retired for the day.

In the case of DC chargers, which are typically 50 kW and above, the electrical grid’s AC power is converted into DC power at the charging point. This is why DC chargers are typically larger. However, DC chargers can charge EVs at a significantly quicker rate, usually bringing your EV batteries to around 80-percent (which is the ideal capacity when charging an EV, to retain the battery’s longevity) in about 30-45 minutes; perfect for people on the move, who are running errands, or who are looking for a quick bite.

Of course, exact charging duration will vary based on multiple factors. The charging power rating (e.g. 7.4 kW, 50 kW or 200 kW), the car’s OBC and battery size, as-well-as your State of Charge (SoC), which refers to the remaining energy in the battery. When the SoC is high, it takes more time, therefore the charging speed will be slower. Helpfully, SP Group’s AC chargers range from 3.7 kW to 43 kW, while their DC chargers have charging speeds between 50 kW to 200 kW.

2 Fear of running out of energy before the next charging point

Most EVs in Singapore are rated with 400 – 500 km of range on a full charge, but depending on an individual’s driving style, these numbers may fluctuate. Minimally, most EVs would have a travel range of at least 350 km, which is plenty for three round trips around Singapore; leaving you easily with enough juice in the “tank” to get you home, or to an EV charger.

3 Driving an EV is expensive!

You would be glad to know that EV charging costs a fraction of what you’d have to fork out to fill up an ICE car. At SP Group’s public chargers, you’d be forking out around $40 to charge a 50 kWh battery, while getting a full tank of petrol would cost about $100 for same amount of mileage.

4 There are not enough charging points around! Fear of range anxiety

Granted, drivers would naturally have concerns about the availability of public chargers, but SP Group has an islandwide network of chargers to cater to the EV population. With more than 1,400 charging points across close to 400 locations, EV drivers need simply log into the SP app to view all available chargers along with their charger types, prices, as well as monitor if their selected charger is in use.

Furthermore, the extensive and overarching network of SP chargers also alleviates any range anxiety that EV drivers would have, especially so considering that nearly a fifth of all SP Group chargers support DC fast charging. It’s a simple matter of looking at all available DC chargers in your vicinity, finding one that suits your charging needs, and simply plugging your car in.

5 Electric charging is dangerous

SP chargers are compliant with all the relevant safety standards. However, in the event of heavy rain and/ or lightning, it is advisable to refrain from using charging points located in unsheltered areas.

6 There is no reward programme for EV charging unlike fuelling up an ICE

SP Group rewards EV drivers for embracing sustainability! Its loyalty reward programme known as “GreenUP Rewards” gives you discounted deals when you go green. The GreenUP Rewards recently got upsized, where a minimum charge of 20 kWh each session earns EV drivers 20 leaves. The more you charge, the more leaves you earn. Accumulate leaves to level up and unlock more rewards at your favourite F&B and retail stores.

With regular campaigns and promotions for EV drivers, SP Group also drops EV charging vouchers into charging accounts to offset charging costs. To receive the EV charging vouchers, do ensure your mobile number is linked up with the Advocado account under the GreenUP rewards platform. To find out how, click on this link!

Visit the SP Mobility website at www.spmobility.sg to stay up-to-date with the latest information and promotions, and start your EV charging journey with SP Group now!  

Click here or scan the QR code below to download the SP app.

Follow SP Mobility on
Telegram  https://t.me/SPmobility and
TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@spmobility

• 
  Audi Q4 45 e-tron First Drive Review: Where size is king?
• 
  Porsche Roughroads Pop-up features the 911 Dakar
• 
  McLaren Artura Spider unveiled in Singapore
• 
  Porsche Experience Centre set to make its debut in Singapore by 2027
• 
  Harley-Davidson unveils new showroom at 28 Leng Kee Road