Those who rent one of these vans will also have access to more than 20 mobile charging vans.
EVCo managing director Fuji Foo said that his firm will provide charging services with the knowledge that drivers may have trouble finding one.
“With mobile charging now, instead of having them (drivers) look around for chargers, for example, and worrying … now we are bringing charging service to them, ” he said.
The vans will be available for lease on a quarterly or yearly basis, said Mr Foo, adding that fuel savings could make the cost of leasing an electric van cheaper than a traditional one.
NEW LAW TO REGULATION EV CHARGING
One SME, SOS Logistics Solutions, is taking part in a pilot run by EVCo.
The firm’s co-founder, Markus Lim, told CNA that the system could push more of its drivers to go electric.
The delivery drivers working with his firm do not need to find a charging station at the end of a 12- to 14-hour workday, and can park their vehicles anywhere, just as they would with diesel-powered vans, he said.
“So this way, it actually does not disrupt (the system) in terms of how the traditional leasing model is,” he said.
The charging services come ahead of the establishment of a new law to regulate EV charging, which will be up for debate in Parliament this year.
The legislation could see licensing and mandatory registration introduced into the sector.
Market players said they currently meet local and international safety standards, but are prepared to do what is needed to comply with the upcoming rules.
“As and when regulations come forth, then we will have to review again… And thereafter we will see what the new requirements are and how we can comply accordingly,” said Wearnes’ Ms Tu.