Systems Analysis

Existing system inputs + interactions with subsystems is unable to bring about

our intended policy outcome

Customers
Encompassing individuals, households and organisations that are currently or
potentially consumers of private cars, customers form the demand for electric
vehicles. Customers also include the general population who do not currently
own a private car for transport purposes, and will take into account the effects of
the recommended policies on their interests and objectives. Overcoming
obstacles such as lack of knowledge, lack of awareness and lack of economic
incentives in the adoption of ECs are the primary objective in making substantial
headway in achieving our policy goals.

Knowledge Deficiency
Widespread adoption of ECs can be attributed in large to the lack of knowledge
on the customers side regarding vehicle technicalities, operational familiarity
and ownership benefits (Rezvani et al., 2015). This lack of awareness is driven by
a variety of concepts unique to EC usage, and presents itself as a significant
barrier in terms of a departure in conventional knowledge when it comes to
private car ownership. The adoption of ECs into the mainstream is hence
hindered by the lack of knowledge on the potential advantages of EC ownership.
Electricity as Vehicle Fuel
The introduction of electricity as a fuel for private vehicles is a concept that is
inherently a source of confusion for potential customers. Prior to widespread
adoption of ECs, the general population at large will have little to no knowledge
and experience with electricity as a source of vehicle power, and thus this leads
to several misconceptions regarding costs and consumption rates of the vehicles
mileage. The inability to intuitively judge an ECs costs to drive or mileage
represents a significant barrier to overcome in terms of customer mindset, and

this also leads to an inability for manufacturers or dealerships to effectively

convey a cost savings in terms of fuel expenditure in comparison to conventional
gasoline vehicles (Hagman et al., 2016).
Given that charging of ECs will result in a range of costs due to different price
frameworks, an additional consideration brought about by exponential nature of
EC recharging will only serve to exacerbate the difficulty in cost estimations
(Marra et al., 2012). Additional difficulty in cost estimation will be due to the
price fluctuation for EC charging, as it is likely that there will be an
implementation of a time-sensitive rates structure depending on peak or nonspeak charging hours to better regulate usage of the electricity grid. Customers
who take interest in environmental benefits of EC usage are also unable to
substantially gauge the impact of their transition from a conventional gasoline
vehicle to an EC, given that the metrics of electricity generation Singapore are
largely unpublished.

1. Customers
a
b
i
ii
iii

i
ii
i
ii
iii
i
ii

e
1
1

Encompasses: Individuals, Households, Organisations

Customers have no/little knowledge and experience with PEV technology
Electricity as fuel is a new concept (estimated costs/range/mileage)
Information gap at primary point of sale (dealership)
PEV choices limited
Vehicle battery and charging concerns
Only reference point is ordinary car batteries
Affects property purchase decisions
Driving and ownership experience
PEV driving in terms of acceleration and handling
Regular maintenance requirements
Safety know-how and precautions
Costs
Retail price of PEV
Resale value
Fuel savings uncertainty, higher gasoline price increase PEV sales (Busse, 2013
Electricity costs

Statistics required:
- Average daily commute distance via car
- Cumulative travel distance
- Car usage periods - peak and off-peak
- Average fuel consumption?

2. Installed Base and Infrastructure - Charging Facilities

i

ii
iii
i
ii

a
1
2
3
1
b
1

iii

1
iv
1
a
2
c

Charging technicalities
Types of charging, availabilities and
AC 120V, 240V
DC Fast charging
Wireless charging
Speed of charge
per hour charge mileage
Future charging developments
Charging locations
Distribution of vehicle locations
Residential charging
Potential problems due to high-rise residences (HDB)
Workplace charging
Payment options
Public charging
Government provision or privatisation
Undermines business potential if public provided, but unable to control pricing if
privatised
Different models for the provision of public charging?
Standardization of charging infrastructure
3. Installed Base and Infrastructure - Electricity Generation and Grid

a
i
i
i
i
i
ii

b
c
d
e
1
2
1
2

Generation capacity increase

Potential overloading
Transmission infrastructure changes
High voltage transmission
Distribution network changes
Network expansion
Cost and nature of charging vary directly with time of day
Variable demand depending on car location
Charging rates
Time varying, peak and off peak
time-of-use
real-time pricing
Current unit of charging structures for household electricity consumption
kWH
Fixed
4. Regulatory and Financial Framework

i
ii

a
1

b
i
ii
iii
iv
v
c
i
ii
1
iii
1

Consumer education
Marketing/campaigns
Targeted at those with transport needs
Demonstrations/public activities
Customer incentives
Retail rebates
Tax-incentives/exemptions
Parking incentives
Lane priorities
Fuel tax incentives
Dealership & Retails
Understanding dealership motivation to push sales of PEVs
Maintenance of PEV considerably lower (Loveday, 2012)
35% lower due to no oil change, no exhaust/emission system, less moving mechanical
parts
Training/education of sales personnel which poses as a significant disincentive
Knowledge on charging infra, taxation and battery specifics

5. Automobile Industry

Appendix
Appendix A

US Department of Energy eGallon Calculator

http://energy.gov/articles/egallon-how-much-cheaper-it-drive-electricity#

SMUD EV Charging Costs Calculator

http://c03.apogee.net/contentplayer/?
utilityid=smud&coursetype=misc&id=18862

Pacific Gas & Electric Company PEV Calculator

https://www.pge.com/en/pevcalculator/PEV/index.page