Here’s a glimpse into our automobiles’ future. Electric vehicles (EVs), once regarded as a lifestyle item, have now come full circle to be considered essential in Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan, a nationwide initiative to advance the country’s national agenda on sustainable development.
The adoption of EVs pushes for a greener, cleaner, emissions-free future.
Why are EVs so important?
Environment
By opting for an EV, you are assisting in reducing hazardous air pollution caused by exhaust emissions. When an EV is charged from the grid, it produces greenhouse gas emissions, much lower than the usual carbon emissions from a diesel-powered vehicle.
Minimising carbon emissions cleans up our environment and makes resource and energy conservation the new normal.
Health
Reduced hazardous exhaust emissions are beneficial to our health. Better air quality will result in fewer health problems and pollution-related costs. Electric vehicles are also quieter than gasoline and diesel vehicles, resulting in reduced noise pollution.
Automakers’ 0pinions
It’s rare to see the industry leaders divide as radically as they have with electric vehicles in an industry as entrenched as the automobile industry. When it comes to the future of electric vehicles, however, the two largest firms, Toyota and the Volkswagen Group (VW) have taken diametrically opposing positions.
The Volkswagen Group has taken a hard line on electric vehicles, emphasising the need to adapt fast and effectively. Toyota, on the other hand, has consistently poured cold water on the future of electric vehicles.
Toyota remains investing in hybrid automobiles. However, unlike plug-in hybrids, regular hybrids cannot be charged and must rely on fossil fuels for electricity.
Obtaining public opinion
Motorist is an automotive platform headquartered in Singapore with over 115,000 app users, i.e. eight per cent of Singapore’s vehicle population. Through transparent transactional processes (buy, sell, insurance), personalised smart reminders and notifications, Motorist hopes to simplify car ownership for the masses.
Currently, eight in 10 users act upon a reminder, whether it’s time to renew their road tax or pay a traffic fine, has conducted a poll with close to 3,400 of their app users in Singapore regarding Singapore’s energy-saving strategy.
Over 73 per cent of users surveyed expressed interest in government attempts to promote the use of electric vehicles in a study done by the company.
Furthermore, over 65 per cent of respondents expressed an interest in adopting EVs after the S$5,000 minimum additional registration charge for EVs was eliminated in January 2022.
The poll also revealed that non-EV users were enthusiastic about moving to EVs, with 68.1 per cent of interested respondents. At the same time, the remainder expressed reservations due to pricing, range, and the bother of charging EVs but said they would keep EVs in mind in the future.
Transitioning too soon, whether as a producer or a consumer, has its drawbacks.
However, given what is at stake for both parties, people should promptly consider this shift. With what the future holds, it’s evident that the automotive industry is on the verge of seeing a level of technological upheaval that hasn’t been seen in decades.
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Image Credit: lightpoet
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