By the end of 2024, a proof-of-concept project in Singapore will introduce ultra-fast chargers capable of charging Electric Vehicles (EVs) at a rate that is expected to be about 10 times faster than current fast chargers.
This is made possible through a collaboration between EV-Electric Charging (EVe), a subsidiary of Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, and Chinese technology giant Huawei.
Typically, existing charging stations are available in power ranges of 7kW, 11kW, and 22kW, and take around up to six hours or even overnight to fully charge an EV.
The fast chargers currently available are rated at 50kW and take about an hour, but Huawei’s Fully Liquid-cooled Ultra-fast chargers are rated at 480kW, which is almost 10 times faster.
With a charging rate of “one kilometre per second“, Huawei’s chargers promises to shorten the charging time to be almost as quick as a visit to the petrol station.
Derek Tan, CEO of EVe, said that Huawei’s ultra fast chargers are “a potential game changer”, especially for high mileage users such as taxi, private hire and delivery drivers.
“At almost 10 times the speed of conventional fast chargers, we can help users save even more time and at some point, hopefully bring the charging experience closer to that of petrol kiosks,” he added.
Besides exploring proof-of-concept projects, the partnership between EVe and Huawei includes the sharing of market insights and technological advancements for EV chargers, and developing integrated solutions which include solar photovoltaic technology and energy storage systems.
Currently, the adoption rate of EVs in Singapore is growing and stands at 18.1 per cent of total car registrations of 30,225 in 2023, compared to 11.7 per cent in 2022.
Under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the government’s EV vision is to work with the private sector to reach 60,000 EV charge points by 2030.
These includes 40,000 in public carparks and 20,000 private charge points. Every Housing & Development Board (HDB) town with public housing will also be “EV-ready”, with about 2,000 carparks to be equipped with charging points by 2025.
