Tesla looks to officially commence Singapore operations; Model 3 available to order
Tesla looks to be gearing up for a launch of operations in Singapore this year, with multiple roles in retail, service, parts and customer service advertised on the company’s website as at 25 January 2021. Also visible on the website’s charging location search page is a marker over Singapore showing that a Supercharger site is planned, but that the “Target opening date [is] to be confirmed”, and that “Timing and location subject to change”.
Tesla looks to be gearing up for a launch of operations in Singapore this year, with multiple roles in retail, service, parts and customer service advertised on the company’s website. Also visible on the website’s charging location search page is a marker over Singapore showing that a Supercharger site is planned, but that the “Target opening date [is] to be confirmed”, and that “Timing and location subject to change”.
Note that many reputable news sources are reporting Singapore’s first Supercharger is likely to be located exactly on the pin; that is at the Singapore Island Country Club. Our take is that this is a general location marker, and Tesla would be unlikely to place the company’s first rapid charging site within the grounds of a private club, off limits to the public.
Tesla’s website shows that Singapore is a planned future Supercharging location.
The Tesla model 3 can also now be ordered in Singapore, in Standard Range Plus and Performance specifications. Tesla’s website quotes a date of “mid 2021” for deliveries of either model, and is available from SG$S112,845 (SR+) and SG$154,845 (Performance), excluding Certificate of Entitlement (COE) which can cost between SG$40-50,000 at today’s rates. The COE gives vehicle owners the right to own and operate a vehicle for ten years, and is purchased through an open bidding system, though if you purchase a new vehicle, the dealership generally handles the acquisition of the COE.
Tesla’s Model 3 is eligible for significant government concessions in Singapore.
Interestingly, Tesla’s website shows that the Model 3 is eligible for two sizeable discounts on the country’s Additional Registration Fee (ARF). There’s a SG$20,000 EV early adopter incentive, and a SG$20,000 Vehicle Emissions Scheme (VES) rebate. These discounts make the Model 3 incredibly competitive with other sports sedans in the market.
At this stage, The revised Model S and Model X remain off limits for Singaporeans to order.
Although Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has, in the past been rather uncomplimentary of the Singaporean Government’s attitude towards not only electric vehicles generally but his company, Singapore now has a mandate to eradicate internal combustion engined vehicles on its roads by 2040. This government support means that Singaporeans will soon have not only policy certainty around zero emissions vehicles, but an increased rollout in charging infrastructure, as well as potential rebates on the cost of vehicle registration.
Tesla’s Model 3 will be available to Singaporeans by mid-2021.
Reducing vehicle emissions will be crucial in achieving the island-state’s overall goal of peak emissions of 33 million tonnes by 2050, given the heavy reliance on gas, coal and oil for energy. There are about 600,000 privately owned cars on the road in Singapore, with EVs numbering about 1,100 (that’s only 0.18%).
With the zero emissions mandate, recently raised petrol duties, no minimum registration fee and the 10 year validity of the mandatory Certificate of Entitlement, some analysts are predicting that Singapore has the potential to produce a market for a minimum of 50,000 electric vehicle sales per annum.
Polestar confirms entry into Australian and key Asian markets by end of 2021
Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Polestar expands into five new markets in 2021 including Australia and New Zealand
Polestar to add five new markets across Asia Pacific
Polestar 2 will be available in 18 markets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific by end of 2021, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region. These markets will join three new and previously announced European markets, bringing Polestar’s global footprint to 18 countries by the end of the year. The new markets include South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
“The brand is gathering real momentum, and it is great to be expanding with Polestar 2 beyond our initial global markets in China, North America and Europe,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Preparations in these markets are at different stages as the brand organises market launches and eventually the opening of online sales. Specific dates and details for each market will be published locally to include model specification and product pricing.
Key for Australia and South Korea, local independent Polestar sales units are being established and new Managing Directors have already been appointed. In Australia the local organisation will be led by Samantha Johnson, and Jongsung Ham will head up Polestar in South Korea. The other markets will likely be operated on an importer basis, with local partners to be confirmed in due course.
According to Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s new head of the China and Asia Pacific regions, “specific roll-out timing is at an advanced planning stage and the recruitment of key individuals has begun.” He adds “While we are growing rapidly, we are ensuring both our organisation and processes ensure a consistent and truly Polestar experience for our customers, wherever they are based.”
Polestar has already had a presence in Europe and North America since launch in 2020, and retails the Polestar 2 through its website and its “Spaces”; a term for centrally located design-focused showrooms in the style of Tesla stores.
Singapore Begins Research on Floating Energy Storage Solution
The floating lab batteries will stacked vertically-a first for Singapore-reducing the footprint by an estimated 40%. A seawater liquid cooling setup will also be implemented, to reduce the batteries’ operating temperature and improve performance in the humid climate of Singapore.
Image: Keppel O&M
Space is precious in Singapore; with a population of close to 6 million and a land area of 725km2, creative thinking is required for large scale transport and energy projects. The Maritime Executive writes that Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) plan to install a floating energy storage system with 7.5MWh of lithium ion batteries on Keppel O&M’s Floating Living Lab.
The EMA’s Chief Executive, Ngiam Shih Chun said“Energy storage and smart energy management systems support the deployment of more renewable energy in Singapore. This project will pave the way to overcome our land constraints, and set the blueprint for similar deployments in the future.”
The floating lab batteries will be stacked vertically-a first for Singapore-reducing the footprint by an estimated 40%. A seawater liquid cooling setup will also be implemented, to reduce the batteries’ operating temperature and improve performance in the humid climate of Singapore.
Due for completion in 2023, the 7.5MWh capacity should be enough to supply power to 600 4-room HDB units, which are around 90m2 or 970ft2.
Find out more below:
Source: The Maritime Executive
