Amidst much excitement for Tesla’s newest electric car — the Model 3 — and increasing sentiments advocating their use here, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that 2,000 charging points will be set up islandwide.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan informed Parliament yesterday about a plan in the works for an electric car-sharing programme in collaboration with the Economic Development Board.
He had also mentioned that the Model 3 would be entitled to the maximum rebate of $30,000 under the current Carbon Emissions Vehicle Scheme if the LTA assesses it to be worthy. When Tesla’s newest model — and its cheapest one yet too — is ready to be sold here, importers will have to submit its electrical energy consumption information to the authorities.
The Transport Minister was also iffy about the Tesla’s environmental friendliness, stating that the generation of electricity consumed by the vehicle still emits carbon, even thought he car itself doesn’t emit anything.
“The greenest form of transport is public transport. So do follow me – if you cannot be a 100 per cent public transport user, at least be a part-time public transport user,” he said. But then again, why would anyone take the bus if you can have a car that has autopilot hardware and the ability to go from zero to 60mph under six seconds?
