Coming soon: Charge your electric vehicles in just 30 minutes at ComfortDelGro’s new charging station

SINGAPORE — Charging an electric vehicle (EV) in 30 minutes might just be possible should transport company ComfortDelGro get the clearance to introduce the first direct current (DC) fast-charging service in Singapore.

Operated by its subsidiary ComfortDelGro Engineering, in partnership with global EV-charging software and solutions provider Greenlots, the new Terra 54 CG charging station will be the first of its kind here “once test documents are cleared with the authorities”, ComfortDelGro said in a press release on Tuesday (Nov 13).

While no roll-out date has been provided, the charging station — boasting a robust all-weather stainless steel enclosure that allows it to be stationed outdoors — will be located at ComfortDelGro’s premises in Braddell.

Unlike the current alternating current (AC) standard that most charging stations offer, ComfortDelGro’s new fast-charging station — provided by pioneering technology leader ABB — will operate primarily on the DC method.

“The Terra 54 CG charging station offers a 43kW Type 2 AC charger and 50kW Combo-2 DC fast charger, allowing two EVs to charge at the same time,” ComfortDelGro said.

It is an “ideal en-route stop for EVs in need of a top-up", the company added, because the typical charging time can be as little as 30 minutes. AC charging takes up between three and four hours.

The service is priced at 40 cents per kWh for both AC and DC charging.

Greenlots users who own BMW electrified vehicles (BMW i3, BMW i8, and BMW iPerformance models), fully electric Hyundai Ioniqs, as well as the Renault ZOEs can get round-the-clock access to this charging station.

However, drivers will need to apply for a special access pass directly with ComfortDelGro Engineering to gain entry.

They can also check the availability of the charging station and pay the charging costs through the Greenlots mobile application.

Drivers of ComfortDelGro‘s fully electric Hyundai Ioniq taxis, which had been rolled out this July, will not need to apply for the access pass.

ComfortDelGro Engineering’s chief executive officer Ang Soo Hock said: “We have always supported the adoption of low-carbon emissions technologies, and hope that the introduction of this service will contribute towards the development of a reliable and accessible EV-charging network in Singapore."

Last month, energy utilities provider SP Group announced that it will launch 250 high-powered DC chargers that work at a rate of up to 350kW and can fully charge a car in as fast as 10 minutes — or gain a range of about 200km — depending on the make of the car. These fast-charging stations will be part of SP Group's 1,000 EV-charging points the company plans to install by 2020.