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. 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.