Archives of Parliamentary Excerpts, Press Releases, and Speeches
4 October 2008
JBJ in Memorial
21 January 2008
Speech in Parliament by Chiam See Tong on HDB upgrading
22 October 2007
Amendment of the Panel Code
5 October 2007
Press release on Myanmar's Military Junta
22 May 2007
Parliamentary Debates
9 April 2007
Speech in Parliament by Chiam See Tong on Ministers' salary hikes
4 February 2007
Speech during MP's dialogue session by Lim Bak Chuan on GST increase
09 February 09
I applaud the Government for its efforts to promote the use of more energy efficient vehicles as part of its efforts on fighting against global warming.
The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) which the Government has introduced since Jan 2001 aims to bring about a change in consumer behavior to become more environmentally friendly and to support clean emerging technologies, by narrowing the cost differential between a green vehicle and the conventional equivalent model.
Currently, hybrid, electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) cars are accorded a 40 per cent cut in the Additional Registration Fee (ARF), the main car tax, up until 31 Dec 2009.
Other tax incentives enjoyed by green vehicles are: For CNG vehicles: Special tax exemption until 31 Dec 2009 For hybrid, electric and CNG buses and commercial vehicles: Road tax is pegged to that for petrol equivalents, which is 20% lower than their diesel equivalents.
I call upon the Government to further extend the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) as well exemption from "special tax for green vehicles beyond 31 Dec 2009.
The Government should further consider greater tax incentives to bring about a change in consumer behavior to support clean emerging technologies, to encourage more Singaporeans to consider the purchase of green vehicles.
Confusing Signals to would-be Green Vehicle converters From January 2012, CNG will be taxed at the pumps, like petrol. The duty will be phased in at 20cents per kg of gas, compared with 41cents per litre of petrol.
With the take up rate of Green Vehicle at such low rates, would not the introduction of the CNG duty from January 2012 further impede potential converters? I call upon the Government to delay the introduction of the CNG duty, and in turn, put their efforts in thinking of ways to make the conversion effort easier for vehicle owners.
It was mentioned, the Government will be imposing a CNG duty rate that will be benchmarked against the prevailing petrol duty rate, taking into account the relative impact that these two fuels have on the environment."
Last year, the gas company did open a gas station in Mandai, which makes the filling up of CNG slightly easier. I hope the Government will encourage companies to open up more CNG stations in Singapore so that there is more incentive to buy a Green car.
This is sending mixed signals to car buyers or potential Green Vehicle upgraders. The Government said that CNG runned vehicles are not significantly cleaner than petrol cars except for lower carbon dioxide emission". Would the Government make a clear stand on this issue. If the Government really want to encourage the public to go to greener vehicles, then they should set the policies right in the first place."
Lack of CNG Refueling Stations Despite the introduction of the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) and special tax exemption, there are currently very few takers for Green Vehicles.
One of the reasons is that it is more inconvenient for CNG car owners to fuel up due to the lack of CNG Stations. I believe by February 2009, there will be only just 3 refueling stations in Singapore.
More efforts should be made to help the private sector take on more such CNG refueling projects.