SP Group targets 1,000 electric vehicle charging ports by 2020

SP Group (SP) plans to build 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across Singapore by 2020 to meet the needs of an escalating EV population.

This doubles its initial target, made earlier in June, to build the country's largest public EV charging network with 500 charging points nationwide.

SP's charging network will also be Singapore's fastest. Of the 1,000, there will be 250 high-powered direct current (DC) chargers.

SP had announced in June that its network will have 50kW DC chargers which can fully charge a car in as fast as 30 minutes.

The latest announcement extends the power ratings for SP's DC chargers beyond 50kW to as high as 350kW. These new extra-high-powered chargers will be able to support new upcoming EV models with bigger battery capacities and longer driving ranges.

Among major users of this network are drivers of HDT Singapore Taxi and Grab. SP recently inked agreements with both companies to provide EV-charging services for their fleets.

"By developing Singapore's largest and fastest electric vehicle charging network, it will enable greater adoption of electric vehicles, helping our customers to go green, while saving energy and cost. The significant reduction in carbon emissions will also support Singapore's Climate Action Plan," said Mr. Wong Kim Yin, Group Chief Executive Officer of SP Group.

SP's charging points will be located at convenient locations nationwide, such as shopping malls, residential areas, business parks and industrial sites, as well as close to coffee shops and food outlets. SP also plans to extend EV charging services to a wider range of vehicular types. This includes larger commercial vehicles such as buses and other heavy-duty vehicles.