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  Straits Times Forum Online 13 Dec 05
Time to relook fuel-efficient cars
 Letter from Fong Sau Shung

WHILE the importance of fuel economy seems to have fallen off the radar somewhat with the recent drop in petrol prices, the very real possibility of future increases makes further discussion important.

Of pertinence is the recent release by the United States Environmental Protection Agency of the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars (2006 models). The top nine positions are equipped with hybrid-electric and, surprisingly, diesel engines. Only one conventional gasoline engine car barely made it into the list at 10th position.

Vehicular fuel efficiency is rated in a transparent manner (there is a video clip of the process online) by monitoring fuel consumption over a standardised circuit.

While it is arguable if this reflects real driving conditions in Singapore, it is reasonable to assume that relative comparisons remain objective (that is, while you may not get the fuel efficiency of the top car of 25.5km per litre in city driving, it is reasonable to assume that in normal driving conditions, it is much better than No. 3 at 15.73km per litre).

While emissions of diesel engines still lag far behind gasoline ones in general, hybrid engines, in which the car is equipped with both an electric and a conventional gasoline engine, have both excellent fuel economy and very low emissions.

Clearly, there have been many changes since the noisy and filthy diesel engines of the past which have prompted limitations of their use on our roads.

Unfortunately, diesel-equipped passenger vehicles are unavailable in Singapore.

Hybrid-electric cars, which have gained much popularity in the US and Japan, were recently pulled from the Honda and Toyota showrooms in Singapore due to poor sales.

Practically speaking, with current fuel and car prices, a simple calculation shows cash savings only for a few individuals who travel uncommonly long distances. Buying of a hybrid vehicle now is therefore more for environmental reasons than to save money.

That does not have to be the case. In metropolitan Singapore, no incentive is better than hard cash.

If environmental health is considered a priority, several avenues can be considered to provide incentives to encourage more fuel-efficient vehicles. These include more tax rebates, differentiated COEs for 'green' cars and lowering the cost of importing 'green' cars.

Consideration can also be given to importing selected diesel cars which are clean and fuel efficient, though this may be difficult to implement considering the vastly different costs of petrol and diesel.

Environmental health translates eventually to human health. Technological advance has outdated preconceptions of dirty and inefficient diesel engines. It has also introduced new engines, such as the hybrid-electric.

If deemed important enough, policies should keep up with technological change and encourage the use of green vehicles. Widespread use will translate into a greener Singapore, less reliance on import-dependent raw materials and fewer stops at the petrol station.

Fong Sau Shung
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