How many alt-cars are there in Singapore?

This is an important question because this will have implications on the policies that the government has already put in place. It will also determine if the said policies will prove to be effective and it will also help us to uncover what can be improved about them.

To start, the interactive graph below shows us the exact numbers regarding the population of alt-cars (excluding commercial vehicles) in Singapore. The numbers display the count of each vehicle by fuel type at the end of each year, with the exception of 2017, which is accurate as of 31st August 2017.

At first glance, we can immediately see that the most popular form of alt-car is the Petrol-Electric car. This fuel type makes use of petroleum to charge the battery inside the engine. It does not require the driver to recharge his or her car at designated spots. What this translates to, is convenience. This characteristic of the vehicle may explain the numbers and trends seen below. Conversely, the other 3 forms of alt-cars, are much less popular with Singaporeans.

The population of Petrol-Electric vehicles have made a huge increase from 379 vehicles in 2006 to 16,703 in 2017. Petrol-Electric (Plug-in) vehicles have risen from 47 in 2014 to 152 in 2017. The count of electric vehicles has increased from just 1 to 22 vehicles in 2017. Finally, Diesel-Electric vehicles have increased from 6 to 22 vehicles currently.

Infogram

The increase in the population of alt-cars in Singapore can be attributed to these two factors:

Changing attitudes towards the environment

In 1999, Tan et. al., conducted a survey on Singaporean students to find out their levels of environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. The students were found to have a low level of factual environmental knowledge, but however, they understood environmental concepts (which could be attributed to geography lessons). Secondly, the students had a moderately positive attitude towards the environment, with the average score being only 66%. Lastly, it was discovered that the students rarely practised environmentally friendly behaviours and they were not “green consumers”. Overall, it was made clear that the level and standard of environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour were lacking and disappointing.

Another study was conducted in 2013 by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS). They intended to get a feel of Singaporean’s perceptions towards climate change. 70% of respondents were concerned about climate change, and 78.5% of them also felt that Singapore would feel the brunt of climate change. This could be indicative of their environmental knowledge and awareness of environmental issues. There were various questions that assessed their environmental knowledge, including “are you playing a part in taking action on climate change” and “which of the actions they were taking regularly or irregularly”. 63% of the results stated that they were playing a part in fighting climate change, and the most common measure taken was to turn off electrical appliances and to carpool whenever possible. From the study, it was made clear that Singaporeans are improving their pro-environmental behaviours.

Overall, we could eventually come to the conclusion that in the period between 1999 and 2014, environmental attitudes have changed, alongside knowledge and behaviours. Hence, this could be a contributing reason for the increase in alt-cars in Singapore.

Awareness of the benefits of alt-cars & education on the effects of traditional fuel cars

These two have come hand in hand. When the first Carbon-Emissions Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) was introduced, it drove home the message to Singaporeans that some cars were doing more harm to the environment than others. This was reiterated with the use of rebates and surcharges, which is an incentive and a tax respectively. Earlier this year, it was announced that the CEVS would be replaced by the Vehicle Emissions Scheme (VES), which covers more pollutants that vehicles release. The rationale for the revision of the scheme was to bring Singapore closer towards her air quality and climate change goals. This was conveyed consistently in all of the VES’ media coverage. Thus, I am sure that most motorists in Singapore would be aware that many traditional fuel cars are big contributors to pollution, and that the best option for a vehicle would be a hybrid or an electric car.

However, more can be done. Click here to find out where we can charge our electric, and hybrid cars!