ComfortDelGro Invests $40M To Electrify Its Bus Fleet – Might Deploy EV Charging Points In NUS

The ComfortDelGro Group announced today (March 16) that it is committing S$50 million in clean energy technology and research as part of its ambitions to up its overall sustainability efforts.

It has recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the National University of Singapore (NUS), in which it will invest about S$10 million in a mobility-focussed CDG-NUS Smart & Sustainable Mobility Living Lab (CDG-NUS Living Lab).

Slated to be set up by September 2021, the CDG-NUS Living Lab will focus on Energy Sustainability, Integrated Urban Mobility as well as Smart and Intelligent Mobility Technologies.

It will research, test and analyse mobility technologies to generate insights
that could later be implemented in solutions for the mass market.

ComfortDelGro is also the first mobility operator in Asia, and one of eight leading Singapore companies to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi encourages companies in the private sector to set science-based emission reduction targets to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

One of the goals is to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

The global pandemic which began in early 2020 gave us an
opportunity to recalibrate and review our businesses. One of the key outcomes has been the keen awareness that we must step up our commitment to ‘green’ technology and processes.

Sustainability is not just a catchphrase to us. It has become a key pillar of our foundation and one that we intend to build on going forward. The collaboration with NUS and our commitment to SBTi are just some of the new initiatives in this regard and we fully intend to invest and commit further in sustainable activities in the months and years ahead.

Yang Ban Seng, Managing Director / Group CEO of ComfortDelGro

Deploying Electric Buses In NUS Campus

The ComfortDelGro Group also seeks to invest another S$40 million to replace its fleet of diesel buses with electric buses.

According to a press release by the group, the buses may be deployed to the NUS Kent Ridge Campus.

Concurrently, ComfortDelGro Engineering will also seek to explore the introduction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure into the campus’ car parks.

Besides charging electric vehicles, they will be used to study the impact of using EVs for travelling in and around the campus.

The move to “electrify” Singapore’s largest tertiary institution is part of the ComfortDelGro Group’s plan to intensify its sustainability efforts.

NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Chen Tsuhan said that the initiative brings together the research technologies that NUS has, as well as ComfortDelGro’s ambition and commitment to develop sustainable services.

“It is also in line with the University’s goal of becoming a smart, safe and sustainable campus,” he said.

Featured Image Credit: NUS / The Edge Singapore