Singapore EV Parking and Charging Guide 2022: Costs and Accessibility

(Photo Credit: InsideEVs)

Society as we know it has been built on crude oil. But as it becomes increasingly unfashionable, the image-conscious amongst us may be tempted to make the switch to a cleaner method of propulsion. 

Clearly, the need to be popular isn't a good enough reason for most to pull the trigger. Generous subsidies and falling EV costs all contribute to increased uptake. 

The one big stumbling block though is range and ease of charging. Which if you think about it, are factors that are complicatedly intertwined.

If you're considering being an EV early adopter, just what do you need to know about charging your vehicle?

Charger Accessibility

60,000 EV charging points will be made available for use island-wide by 2030. This is made up of a 40,000-strong network of public chargers, and an additional 20,000 units fitted to private premises. 

(Photo Credits: Electrive)

At present, there are three major EV charging suppliers in Singapore. They are Shell's Greenlots, SP Power, and Total Energies. 

Shell Greenlots

Shell, through its Greenlots subsidiary, currently has 85 stations scattered islandwide.

(Photo Credits: Shell Greenlots)

Fast charging is available in the following standards AC: IEC Type 2 43kW, DC CCS Combo Type 2 50kW, DC CCS Combo Type 2 100kW. The former two will set you back $0.55 per kWh, with the 100kW charger costing you $0.42 per kWh.

Slower charging standards are also on offer, with some stations even completely free. AC: IEC Type 2 3.7kW, 7.4kW, 22kW. The 3.7kW chargers will set you back $2 or 3 per hour, with the 7.4kW and 22kW chargers netting you a $0.50 bill per kWh.

There are Greenlots chargers installed at various Shell petrol stations across the country, which have also had various upgrades (bistros and other facilities!) to cater for the EV owners as they wait for the battery to be topped off.

Also, as mentioned above, there are free charging services available at select locations, one of them being Our Tampines Hub! 

SP Power

SP Group currently has 200 EV charging points across the island. 

(Photo Credit: Vulcan Post)

Fast charging is available in the following standards AC: IEC Type 2 43kW, DC: CCS Combo Type 2 50kW, 60kW. The 43kW AC chargers will set you back $0.4153 per kWh, with the DC chargers costing you $0.4949 per kWh.

SP's slower charging standards are as follows: AC: IEC Type 2 7.4kW, 11 kW, 22kW and 40kW, all costing $0.4153 per kWh.

These chargers are often located in commercial buildings, such as offices, warehouses and shopping malls, and can be a good way to get your vehicle juiced up if you're at work or doing a spot of shopping!

Total Energies

Total Energies acquired the Blue Charge network of BlueSG fame. Currently, they are the biggest providers of EV charging services in Singapore, with more than 1,500 charge points installed across the island.

(Photo Credits: Total Energies)

You'll have to pay an annual subscription fee of $20, with the first three hours of charging being billed at $1 per hour. Every subsequent hour will cost you $2. Do note that Total Energies uses an AC IEC Type 2 3.7kW standard charger.

This is by far the most widespread charging network in Singapore, and there's a chance that you'd have one of these points in your neighbourhood!

Cost Breakdown

We'll do this in two parts. Firstly, we'll compare the slowest charge standards of each of the providers to simulate slow charging overnight. We'll then take a look at rapid charging. We'll also assume a theoretical EV battery pack size of 39.2 kWh.

In this scenario, you'd park at a lot near, or at, your residence, and proceed to plug your vehicle in the instant you reach home. By the time you are due to leave your abode and head off to work again the very next morning, your vehicle should have received enough charge for another day's worth of commuting.

Most would typically recharge their EVs in this fashion. When the range estimates run low, you'd probably head off to your nearest EV charger, and top off your battery pack as quickly as you can. These chargers will provide enough power to fully refill your battery pack as you run some errands perhaps, or even have a quick lunch!

Long term, we'd expect most EV owners to rely on a mix of slow and fast charging to recharge their vehicles. Slow charging reduces the wear and tear on your charging circuitry, allowing you to keep your battery pack in the pink of health for a longer period of time. 

Rapid EV charging allows you to go about your day without any significant compromise. You do not need to make a detour to look for a charger, as most popular malls would have these fitted in their carparks in the first place.

In either scenario, you'll never have to stop by a petrol station and join the long and awkwardly queue to pay for your fuel again! 

Read More: SPC Petrol Stations in Singapore: Locations, Amenities, Promotions

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