New regulations will require licensing for EV charging operators to prevent unsafe or poorly maintained charging points.
SINGAPORE: A new Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Bill was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 9) to help Singapore meet its target of deploying 60,000 charging points by 2030 and transitioning to cleaner energy vehicles by 2040.
The Bill aims to regulate the safe charging of EVs, ensure reliable charging services, and expand the network of accessible charging infrastructure in Singapore, according to a fact sheet from the Land Transport Authority (LTA). It will also empower the LTA with statutory enforcement powers.
What Does the Bill Cover?
The EV Charging Bill encompasses both fixed and non-fixed chargers. Fixed chargers include battery charge and swap stations, while non-fixed chargers are portable or mobile charging units. However, chargers specifically designed for non-EVs—such as personal mobility devices, power-assisted bicycles, electric vessels, or electric aircraft—are not included in this legislation.
Regulating Safe Charging
Under the proposed legislation, the LTA will oversee various aspects of EV chargers, including their supply, modification, advertisement, installation, certification, registration, and maintenance. This aims to minimize the risks associated with unregulated or poorly maintained chargers, which can pose safety hazards.
Charger installation in private residences will also be regulated. “Landed homeowners operating registered chargers for their personal use do not need a license. However, they must ensure proper usage and periodic maintenance of their chargers,” an LTA spokesperson clarified.
All chargers in Singapore must adhere to established standards, such as Technical Reference 25 (TR25) for Electric Vehicle Charging Systems and Singapore Standard 638 Code of Practice for Electrical Installations. Every charger must be registered before use, receiving a unique registration code and mark. Regular inspections will be required to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
Providing Reliable Charging Services
EV charging operators will be mandated to obtain a license to offer charging services, including the rental of fixed chargers, battery swapping services, or the rental of non-fixed chargers. Licensed operators will need to adhere to conditions such as data sharing, securing public liability insurance, and maintaining service uptime for their chargers.
Licenses will be issued for a specified duration and will be subject to renewal.
Mandating EV Charger Provisions
To enhance the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure, the Bill will require developers of specific building projects to include EV charging capabilities. This applies to developments that either construct or expand buildings significantly.
The legislation distinguishes between two types of provisions: passive and active. Passive provision requires developers to supply at least 1.3kVA per parking space for cars and motorcycles. Active provision necessitates the installation of a minimum number of charging points that collectively draw at least one-fifth of the mandated passive provision.
Developments with fewer than eight car and motorcycle lots will be exempt from the active provision requirement.
Installing EV Chargers at Strata Developments
The Bill will also amend the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act. A simple majority of votes—more than 50% of subsidiary proprietors or their share value—will be sufficient to pass proposals for installing or uninstalling EV chargers in strata developments, as long as the lease agreement with the charging operator does not exceed 10 years and does not require MCST funds.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Bill outlines various offences related to the supply, installation, certification, registration, and use of EV chargers, with penalties depending on the severity of the offence. For example, charging an EV with an unregistered charger could result in a fine of up to S$5,000 or six months of imprisonment, or both. More serious offences, such as tampering with a charger to endanger people or property, could incur fines of up to S$100,000 or five years of imprisonment, or both.
Transitional Arrangements
Existing suppliers will have a six-month grace period to continue using non-approved EV chargers, while unregistered chargers can still be operated for six months. Additionally, current operators can continue without a license for up to 12 months as the Transport Ministry and LTA facilitate these transitional arrangements.
