Green-friendly car gets official blessing

Minister on test-drive praises quiet performance of hydrogen-powered DaimlerChrysler No Emission Car

By Philip Allen

IN THREE years' time, you could be driving a quiet, non-polluting car like DaimlerChrysler's No Emission Car or Necar, which had its first run on Singapore roads yesterday.

Under the car's Mercedes-Benz A-Class body is a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that provides the power.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, who went for the Necar's first test-drive here, said later that he was 'pleasantly surprised' by the Necar.

'It has good power and acceleration, and the electrical engine is very smooth and quiet,' he said.

He announced yesterday that companies wishing to bring in environmentally-friendly cars for limited testing in Singapore would not have to pay taxes or buy certificates of entitlement, under a new Transport Innovation Development Scheme.

He told the Global Conference on Transportation and Technological Advancements, at the Ritz-Carlton, that the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will run the scheme.

Said Mr Yeo: 'New-generation vehicles, such as fuel-cell and hybrid vehicles, can be brought into Singapore for test-bedding and development with a waiver of the usual taxes and Certificate of Entitlement.'

Fuel-cell cars are powered by hydrogen, which is mixed with oxygen in the fuel cell to produce water, electrical energy and heat. No greenhouse gases are released.

Hybrid vehicles run on a mix of petrol and electrical power.

The EDB will also launch the Singapore Initiative in Energy Technology (Sinergy) for companies to collaborate in test- bedding and pilot projects.

'Participating companies can expect strong policy facilitation and access to assistance programmes,' said Mr Yeo.

The future of green vehicles in Singapore was among the environmental issues addressed at the conference.

Environment Ministry director Loh Ah Tuan, who heads its environmental policy and management division, said that in the short term the ministry would work with manufacturers, and bus and taxi companies to introduce vehicles which run on compressed natural gas.

DaimlerChrysler is testing its 'green' car in only three other countries - Germany, Japan and the United States.

Ultra-quiet and emission-free, the Necar is expected to be on the road for customers from 2004, but probably not widely available until 2010.