Electric vehicles (EVs) are vital to a greener world, and are becoming more accessible every day as brands like Tesla and Lexus, and newer players like BYD, enter the market. In line with Singapore’s net-zero emissions climate goal, the government is encouraging drivers to switch to EVs. Particularly with Singapore’s primarily urban landscape and relatively small size, EVs are well suited to driving styles in the city-state.
To further incentivise EV adoption, there are plans to install at least 12,000 EV chargers in approximately 2,000 public housing car parks by 2025 and more fast chargers in public commercial car parks. So far, these efforts have proven fruitful. EVs accounted for 18.1% of Singapore's new car market share in 2023.
With this momentum, however, comes another challenge. While charging points are becoming more accessible, the charging process is slow. Even ultra-fast chargers take up to 30 minutes for a full charge, which is significantly longer than refuelling an ICE car. As EV adoption grows, waiting times to use a charger could extend, too. This makes the customer experience during the charging process crucial in EV adoption.
Drivers are generally willing to wait if they can plan their time effectively, turning the waiting period into productive or leisure activities. However, uncertainty around the availability of charging points and the risk of unexpected delays often lead to frustration. Compared to a petrol station, which can accommodate queues, EV users are left without knowing where they are in that queue, who got there first and how long they’ll need to wait before a charger is made available.
This uncertainty can lead to unnecessary wait times and longer journeys. In addition, drivers have to park in lanes where traffic should flow through, which can cause obstructions, block the view of the charging points and other inconveniences. This unpredictability can result in wasted time, diminishing the overall appeal of EVs.
Innovations to alleviate “charge anxiety”
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To address some of this “charge anxiety”, the MyTransport.SG mobile app now includes an EV charging feature. Users are provided information on the nearest chargers' location, prices, and power ratings. Covering over 800 charging points across 200 locations operated by providers like Bluecharge, CDG Engie, Charge+, Shell Recharge, and SP Mobility, this addition marks significant progress in reducing some of the uncertainty and helps drivers locate charging points more efficiently.
However, to truly enhance the customer experience and drive broader adoption of EVs, there is room for more improvement through an event-driven virtual queueing system. Just as the Parking.sg app transformed Singapore’s parking payment system, an EV charging queuing app could revolutionise the charging experience and change the game.
Real-time data: the key to a streamlined EV charging system
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What is vital to the success of EVs is real-time information on a charging point, and live updating of charging point availability. Thankfully, the technological capabilities exist today in the form of event-driven architecture (EDA).
EDA is not new to Singapore. GovTech has already implemented Asynchronous Data Exchange (ADEX), a centralised, self-service data exchange and event streaming platform for real-time data movement. ADEX could be leveraged to create a robust, multi-agency data movement backbone for EV charging points across various operators and private property owners. GovTech ADEX can seamlessly stitch this real-time data together, optimising EV charging systems.
Charging points are the main ‘event’
So what is an “event”? An event is something that happens or occurs – for example, “Charging Started” is an event, as is “Charging Completed.” If we look at these events with a little more intent, we see that each event is a combination of an object and action - a noun + verb: “Charging” (noun) + “Started” (verb). What if we were able to listen to these events in real time? What if we could filter them via tags, process them, act on them? Similar to what GovTech has done with ADEX, this is where topics (tags) and an event mesh come into play to move those events.
EV charging systems are IoT devices that provide essential data on power and charging functions. However, they could also do more with that data. By rethinking the EV charging process as a series of events, we can harness data on when a charging point is being used, when the charge is completed, and when the charging point is free for use. Tapping into these real-time events provides more accurate and timely information on the EV charging systems and unlocks a wealth of data for more sophisticated applications.
For example, a virtual queuing system could be created using EDA to gather real-time location information on where the cars are, the status of the charging points and who has arrived and is leaving. This system could automatically register drivers in a virtual queue based on arrival time and estimate a wait time. This approach lets drivers park and get notified once their charging station is free. AI models could further optimise this by predicting when and where charging slots will become available, enabling drivers to plan more efficiently and reduce wait times.
Moreover, integrating EDA with next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) systems across all vehicles could offer a comprehensive view of the EV ecosystem. Next-generation ERP is event-driven at its core. This fusion of charging and driving data opens up endless possibilities – from dynamic ‘Happy Hours’ pricing during low-utilisation periods, to the seamless orchestration of the entire charging process. These advancements would streamline operations and significantly enhance the overall customer experience, helping pave the way for the broader adoption of electric vehicles.
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Fuel for the future: A greener EV experience
To truly instill confidence in EVs as a sustainable long-term investment, drivers need instant, reliable access to data. By adopting a real-time, event-driven approach, governments and EV manufacturers can empower drivers with the information they need to plan their next charge effectively.
This strategy not only unlocks the full potential of the data surrounding us but also boosts long-term demand for EVs by offering a more streamlined and efficient driving experience.
The result? A smoother journey toward a greener future, free from any EV-related anxieties.
Sumeet Puri is the chief technology solutions officer at Solace
