Impact of Increased EV Adoption on Electricity Grid's Load
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of electric vehicle (EV) adoption on the electricity grid and progress toward a car-lite society. Mr Yip Hon Weng inquired about power generation emissions, the 2030 internal combustion engine (ICE) phase-out, and strategies beyond EV promotion. Minister of State Jeffrey Siow responded that over 80% of new car and taxi registrations in early 2024 were cleaner-energy models and confirmed new ICE registrations will cease by 2030. He detailed how the Land Transport Authority is upgrading localized electrical infrastructure, such as substations, to support the grid's load. Finally, he emphasized that Singapore’s car-lite vision remains centered on an accessible public transport network and the Vehicle Quota System to limit the total vehicle population.
Transcript
49 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) since 2018, how has increased electric vehicle (EV) adoption impacted our electricity grid's load and resulting emissions from power generation; (b) whether Singapore is on track to cease internal combustion engine vehicle sales by 2030; and (c) beyond promoting EVs, how is the Ministry accelerating the transition to a car-lite society.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The central pillar of our car-lite vision is an accessible and affordable mass public transport network, which enables the greatest number of people to get to their destinations with the least carbon emissions. Moreover, we also have implemented the Vehicle Quota System and Certificate of Entitlement to limit our total vehicle population.
At the same time, to reduce emissions from our vehicle population, we encourage the adoption of cleaner-energy vehicles, especially electric vehicles (EVs).
Between January and August this year, more than four in five of new car and taxi registrations were cleaner-energy models, with more than half being electric models. From 2030, we will cease all new registration of internal combustion engine cars and taxis.
The Land Transport Authority will work closely with the Energy Market Authority, SP PowerGrid and other agencies to ensure that our EV adoption can be supported by the electricity grid. This includes having to upgrade localised electrical infrastructure, such as consumer switch-rooms and electrical substations, to ensure sufficient power provision.