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  Straits Times Forum 26 Mar 07
S'pore ready for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles?
 Letter by Jim Simon

IN THE United States media there is a lot of talk about the potential of plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs),which are slated to hit the market in 2009. President George W. Bush inspected some prototypes at the White House last month, and General Motors and Toyota have both promised to be the first to market their PHEVs.

PHEVs offer three benefits over standard cars and even hybrids like the Toyota Prius: They get significantly better mileage: Estimates range from 40 to 60km per litre. In all-electric mode such as in city driving, they emit nearly zero exhaust fumes, making them a highly 'green' car and they run almost silently.

They have a range of about 70km on electric power before tapping their onboard petrol tank, which means many city drivers will rarely, if ever, have to fill up at a petrol station. (The total range using electricity and petrol is about 1,000km.) These hybrids run completely on battery for the first 70km before a small gas engine begins to recharge the battery. US studies estimate that most of the US population could run 100 per cent on battery power from a six-hour nightly charge because people's daily commute is less than 70km.

Running on electricity is significantly less expensive than petrol, more eco-friendly - even after power plants are taken into consideration, quieter, and it reduces dependence on so-called 'unstable' oil-producing regions.

With Singapore's goal of generating power from solar energy, it may one day be possible for Singaporeans to completely recharge their vehicles using solar power. All that is required is a standard electric socket to plug into each night. In the US, almost every home with a garage has such a socket.

In Singapore, that is often true of landed property, but not necessarily in shared parking areas such as HDB estates and condominiums. Would owners of these dwellings be willing to add electrical sockets? How would they charge for electricity? Perhaps via higher residents association fees or a customised CashCard meter? Maybe shopping malls could offer a free charge as a lure to get shoppers to visit? How about office buildings?

Toyota and GM, among other car makers, are committed to launching PHEVs by 2009. Singapore seems the perfect place for PHEVs, considering its goals of being green and energy-independent, plus the fact that most people commute less than 70km a day.

However, unlike in other countries, will enough car owners in Singapore have access to a nightly electric socket?

I personally cannot wait to take the next step: graduating from a Honda Civic Hybrid to a future plug-in electric hybrid.
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