Singapore’s first Solar Greenlots: For all your Electric Vehicle charging needs!
Zeco Systems has officially launched the republic’s first Solar Greenlots, which is a solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station. This solar powered station is located at the Singapore Polytechnic, and joins existing, conventional Greenlots set up by the company, located at IKEA Tampines, IKEA Alexandra Road as well as at the INSEAD campus.
These Greenlots get their power from the main power grid for fossil fuel generated electricity. The Solar Greenlots generates an average of 3.15kWh per day and is able to charge two to four electric scooters per day, and charging time equals the time offered by a normal, main socket. It can also accommodate other electric vehicles as well, and this is fantastic, since there is news that Tesla is planning to sell its electric cars in Singapore.
The electric Zeco scooters, which are on the market, are priced at S$6,999 for the E-Max 90S and S$7,399 for the E-Max 110S. I really feel that an electric vehicle can be a very effective tool, especially for smaller countries like Singapore, that is equipped with such charging stations. However, regarding the Solar Greenlots’ capability of charging only two to four electric scooters per day, I guess that once there are more electric vehicles on the road, two to four wouldn’t be enough. Also, the “two to four” figure is for electric scooters, hence, if you add an electric car to the list, power consumption will increase, and less power for everyone else. But I am pretty sure Zeco will iron these issues out along the way.
Singapore Polytechnic also played a role in the Solar Greenlots project, in terms of testing and verifying it for public use. REC, or Renewable Energy Corporation has also partnered with Zeco Systems by sponsoring four roof-mounted solar panels used at the new station. Furthermore, both companies are planning to establish more stations, and REC also announced back in November 2008 that it plans to establish the world’s largest solar manufacturing complex in Singapore.
Zeco also revealed that it hopes to work closely with the support of the Housing Development Board to build an environmentally-conscious community through zero-emission urban living, as part of Singapore’s Green Plan 2012, meaning placing such stations in housing areas. Continue reading to view high-res images of the Solar Greenlots.
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Very cool! Agree EVs should work well for Singapore.