Shifting gears: Driving green mobility with innovation and collaboration

Singapore’s green mobility plans are ambitious. With aspirations for all vehicles to run on cleaner energy by 2040, the country cannot afford to take its foot off the gas, experts said at the event. 

“Green mobility is never just about replacing vehicles”, Mr Fuji Foo, Chief Executive Officer of EVCo, Singapore’s leading electric-mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS) provider, pointed out.  

Instead, a system overhaul is needed.  

This includes the need for closer collaboration between companies and deep tech startups, whether tapping into artificial intelligence (AI) or researching new battery technology, to drive the industry’s green revolution. 

(L to R) Panellists Dr Tobias Massier, Principal Scientist at TUMCREATE; Mr Fuji Foo, Chief Executive Officer at EVCo, Ms Mari Matsushita, Chief Product Officer at noco-noco; Mr Marc Stuart, Founding Partner and CEO at Allotrope Partners. 

Digitalisation will play a significant role in making the transition more efficient. Adopting electric vehicles (EVs) involves high costs, and digital transformation – by optimising manpower, assets and operations – would “create a compelling reason for them (businesses) to move towards green mobility”, said Mr Foo.  

For instance, some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are interested in integrating EVs into their operations but lack the relevant expertise. They will benefit from working with deep-tech companies as utilising AI and deep-learning solutions can enhance their workforce deployment so “less can do more”. 

One example of deep-learning solutions already being utilised is the Energy Market Authority’s (EMA) Digital Network Twin. A simulation software developed in collaboration with TUMCREATE, it’s used to measure the impact of additional EVs on Singapore’s grid infrastructure.  

Such digital twins allow developers to have “the entire system on our computer” and enable experimentation, said Dr Tobias Massier, Principal Scientist at TUMCREATE. Such systems help to save costs by highlighting issues before implementation into the real world. 

Dr Massier shows the audience the problem statement for the Singapore Integrated Transport Energy Model (SITEM) project his team has been working on to support Singapore's plan to transition to EVs nationwide. 

Other players are coming up with innovations too. For instance, decarbonisation solutions company noco-noco is developing new battery technology to tackle issues plaguing current options. These include short lifespans and the inability to withstand high temperatures, leading to fire risks. 

Called X-SEPA, noco-noco’s proprietary technology features an electrolyte that is resistant to high temperatures and can extend the lifespan of a conventional lithium-ion battery by fivefold. This will cut the frequency of battery changes, thus reducing the costs of EVs and their negative effects on the environment. 

“Electrification is critical,” said Ms Mari Matsushita, noco-noco’s Chief Product Officer. “And as the heart of electrification, batteries need to keep improving, in terms of life cycles and heat resistance.” 

READ: Re-energising EV battery recycling to support a low carbon future 

There are various ways for deep tech startups to hop on the green track. For instance, Mr Foo suggested partnering with eMaaS providers like EVCo, to leverage their data to train their algorithms to enhance solutions.  

“This is where companies can come together and put together unique value propositions that can actually solve problems,” said Mr Foo. 

Mr Foo speaking to the crowd that gathered at SGInnovate’s networking space.  

The multifaceted needs out there present a wealth of opportunities for startups. He cited examples of different industries – such as logistics, transportation, security and pest control – which all require vehicles to move goods or people from one point to another. However, each faces its own unique problem.  

Singapore may not be an automotive hub with the minerals and the market. “But we have the people, technology and research,” said Mr Foo. The key, he added, is to play on these strengths.  

Read: The quest for a clean energy future: Is there a clear winner?

He advises new entrepreneurs in the green mobility segment to have a clear idea of what they aim to solve. Instead of just building something and hoping someone would use it, they need to first identify an issue in the industry and validate its demand for a solution. 

They should also pinpoint what gives them the upper hand against their competitors, such as a cheaper or faster alternative.  

“We encourage tech companies to work together,” said Mr Foo. “The market is very big out there. We don’t have to kill each other. There is enough for us to work together.” 

Echoing his views, Dr Massier, urged startups and researchers to leave their “silos and towers”. “If there is more interaction, (research and innovation) will move at a faster pace,” he explained. 

Some had reservations about the move towards EVs itself. During the panel discussion, an audience member questioned if EVs are as clean as they are touted to be. According to a Reuters analysis, a Tesla Model 3 will need to drive 13,500 miles – or 21,725 km – before it does less harm to the environment than a petrol-run car. That is equivalent to shuttling between the eastern and western ends of Singapore 443 times. 

In response, Dr Massier emphasised the need to create more sustainable habits in tandem with technological advancements when it comes to achieving greener mobility.  

“Singapore is already a step forward and is promoting public transport,” he said, “If you look at the passenger kilometres, eventually the electric (buses) will be more sustainable than the fossil-fuel-driven (buses).” 

“Individual mobility is nice, but maybe we should take the bus instead of our own car.” 

Find out more about SGInnovate’s upcoming networking and community events here.