Cover Ong Tze Boon (centre) is the chairman of Charge+, Singapore’s largest EV charging solution provider
Ong Tze Boon (centre) is the chairman of Charge+, Singapore’s largest EV charging solution provider
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Frustrated by the lack of charging infrastructure in Singapore, Ong took matters into his own hands to develop Charge+’s proprietary EV charger, the slimmest in the world
As consumers become increasingly concerned with sustainability and climate-friendly practices, so has rising interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The last few years have seen marques from Jaguar Land Rover to Rolls Royce release both hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
Despite the rise of electrification on our roads, sufficient charging infrastructure was lagging behind, leading to frustration among EV drivers—entrepreneur Ong Tze Boon included. Determined to rectify this, he took the plunge in 2018, beginning stealth research and development for a proprietary charger, before founding Charge+.
Tatler sits down with the chairman of Singapore’s largest EV charging solution provider to learn more.
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Above Charge+ is the largest EV charging solution provider in Singapore
Charge+ is the largest EV charging solution provider in Singapore
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What challenges did you face in establishing Charge+ as a prominent player in the EV market, and how did you overcome them?
Charge+ started from scratch as a young enterprise in 2018 and naturally had to overcome challenges that SMEs would typically face. In the early years, it was not straightforward for us to get our first set of key clients, and therefore we were very focused on getting shopping malls, condominiums, and commercial and industrial buildings [on board]. These early successes paved the way for Charge+ to build a respectable track record in later years.
What strategic partnerships or collaborations has the company formed to accelerate the adoption of EVs?
Charge+ has long embraced partnerships as the means to accelerate growth in the industry. We work closely with a wide range of EV dealers and principals to provide a seamless EV charging experience by coupling charging credits with the purchase of EVs.
We support many EV fleet operators in Singapore including the likes of DHL, Fedex, Getgo, Gojek, Tada and UPS. We also have tie-ups with leading property developers to incorporate EV chargers into their greenfield developments.
Above The proprietary EV charger by Charge+ is the slimmest in the world
The proprietary EV charger by Charge+ is the slimmest in the world
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How do you envision Charge+ contributing to the advancement of EV technology and infrastructure in Singapore and beyond?
Charge+ is now the largest EV charging operator in Singapore, across a diverse range of properties such as residential, commercial and industrial buildings. We have also been heartened by the numerous drivers in Singapore who switched to EVs after Charge+ established EV charging stations in their vicinity.
Charge+ possesses a proprietary EV charger that happens to be the slimmest in the world. This allows our chargers to be installed in a more cost-effective manner, it can even be installed on columns which is commonplace in high-density car parks.
Above Dedicated Charge+ parking spaces
Dedicated Charge+ parking spaces
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Given the evolving landscape of EV technology, what innovations or developments can we expect from Charge+ in the near future?
One exciting realm is the use of artificial intelligence to integrate and optimise EV charging as part of the energy building management system
Another frontier is the packaging of promotions with mall operators so that we can create more synergies with the overall retail experience at the malls.
Can you discuss the significance of Singaporean companies, including Charge+, expanding into regional EV markets like Thailand?
While we are the largest charging operator in Singapore now, there is greater potential in the region. Plans to develop a 5,000 km EV charging highway with 45 direct current (DC) fast-charging stations across five countries in Southeast Asia are well underway. The countries are Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. This EV charging highway is slated to be the longest in Southeast Asia and among the longest of its kind in the world.
Above Charge+ has plans to develop an EV charging highway spanning five countries in Southeast Asia
Charge+ has plans to develop an EV charging highway spanning five countries in Southeast Asia
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Reflecting on your journey with Charge+, what are you most proud of accomplishing, and what are your aspirations for the company’s future?
I am proud to see the “newborn” evolve quickly to become the largest EV charging operator in Singapore.
Ultimately, our aim is for Charge+ to be able to catalyse electric mobility across the region, by providing a seamless charging experience.
Credits
Images: Charge+
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Sabrina Low was the former assistant digital editor for Tatler Singapore.
