Tesla sets up electric vehicle charging points in Orchard Central; condos may apply for grant to install chargers
SINGAPORE - Users of electric vehicles (EVs) will have easier access to chargers soon as Singapore steps up its push to get more motorists to choose this less polluting option. Applications open this month (July) for a grant that subsidises the installation of charging points in non-landed private residences. Electric car maker Tesla has set up three charging points at the carpark located on the ninth level of Orchard Central. It will set up more in the coming months. Transport Minister S. Iswaran said on Monday (July 19) that Tesla's charging points were installed under a regulatory sandbox by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Mr Iswaran, who was speaking at a media event held by Sembcorp, said LTA launched the scheme this month to accommodate technologies that are on track to be included in Singapore's national charging standard. He said LTA has been engaging companies to submit specific sandbox applications for case-by-case assessment. Mr Iswaran said the Tesla V3 supercharger, which is only for Tesla vehicles, is expected to shorten charging time to 15 minutes. The grant to subsidise the installation of EV chargers in condominiums and other non-landed private residences will ...
15,600 first-time flat buyers get $500m in grants
About 15,600 first-time flat buyers have received nearly $500 million in grants under the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant since the scheme was launched in September 2019. Of these, 7,700 bought new flats and got about $270 million in all. Another 7,900 bought resale flats, getting about $226 million in grants. The Housing Board yesterday said it has also disbursed some $748 million under the Proximity Housing Grant scheme to about 40,200 households since August 2015. SEE THE BIG STORY
Lower- and middle-income workers to get extra support under new Covid-19 Recovery Grant
SINGAPORE - Lower- and middle-income workers affected by the pandemic will get more help from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) under a new grant. Called the Covid-19 Recovery Grant (CRG), the scheme announced on Wednesday (Dec 16) is for those who continue to suffer significant job or income losses despite earlier measures to help workers. People can start applying for the grant from Jan 18, 2021. Applications will close on Dec 31 next year. The new grant is different from the existing Covid-19 Support Grant or Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (Sirs). Applications for the Covid-19 Support Grant will close by Dec 31, while the Sirs will lapse by year end. Under the new scheme, two groups of people can get up to $700 a month for three months. These are: - People who are unemployed due to retrenchment or involuntary contract termination - People who have been placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least three consecutive months The CRG will provide up to $500 a month for three months, for these groups: - Employees who are facing salary losses of at least 50 per cent on average for at least three consecutive months - Self-employed persons who are facing a...