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While the rising presence of electric vehicles (EVs) on Singapore’s roads highlights their growing popularity, concerns about safety and sustainability, especially regarding their batteries, could hinder their adoption. Addressing these concerns through research and development is crucial for making EV batteries safer and greener. Innovations in battery materials and design, along with advancements in battery testing and recycling technologies, are essential for encouraging wider adoption.
In 2023, EVs accounted for nearly 20% of new car registrations, up from 12% in 2022. This trend is expected to continue as Singapore plans to stop registering internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030 and phase them out by 2040, aligning with its Green Plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The government estimates that if all local light vehicles ran on electricity, it would reduce emissions by about 4%.
Improving EV battery safety can involve exploring alternatives to traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use flammable organic liquid electrolytes. Scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a sodium-ion battery that is less prone to fire while being just as long-lasting and reliable as lithium-ion batteries.
Additionally, incorporating both passive and active protection mechanisms in battery pack design is crucial. Battery management systems that monitor and control parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature make charging and discharging safer, reducing the likelihood of a fire.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore has collaborated with various institutes to enhance EV battery safety and performance. The Singapore Battery Pack Programme, a partnership between Nanyang Technological University (NTU), A*STAR, NUS, and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), aims to improve battery pack designs for better performance and safety. To address overheating issues, A*STAR is developing an immersion cooling system for enhanced thermal management of EV batteries.
A*STAR, in collaboration with NTU and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), is developing a cognitive digital twin of a battery pack to provide real-time performance statistics and better lifespan estimation. The new A*STAR Battery Test Facility, one of the largest in Southeast Asia, supports the development of safer, more reliable, and sustainable batteries through extensive performance and abuse testing, ensuring compliance with standards and aiding product makers in incorporating safety safeguards.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered greener than ICE cars for their lack of tailpipe emissions, but their overall environmental impact is complex. Manufacturing EVs generates a higher carbon footprint, requiring about 22,000 km of use to match an ICE vehicle’s emissions. The production of lithium-ion batteries, involving intensive mining and refining of critical minerals, adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing the carbon footprint of EV batteries requires using renewable energy, advanced manufacturing like dry battery production, and efficient recycling. A*STAR’s EV Battery Testing and Disassembly Line automates disassembly, speeding up the process by 50%. A*STAR is also developing a system to assess end-of-life battery health, enhancing their suitability for recycling and repurposing.
A*STAR is advancing all-round sustainability across sectors with cutting-edge technology for viable, long-term development. Together with NTU Singapore and a foreign investor, A*STAR has launched an SG$ 60 million Corporate Lab to drive sustainable technologies, focusing on biomass conversion, carbon capture, methane conversion, and more.
Additionally, A*STAR has partnered with a leading offshore and marine engineering solutions provider to explore AI and new energies for innovative O&M sector products. This collaboration aims to enhance sectoral sustainability and efficiency by leveraging AI for streamlined processes and developing hydrogen and ammonia solutions tailored for maritime applications.
Supported by A*STAR’s research capabilities, these various initiatives reinforce Singapore’s commitment to technological advancement and sustainable energy solutions in global maritime operations.
