UK and Singapore investigate challenge of driving mass EV adoption

First published on Panel Building & System Integration

The joint four-day symposium (17 – 20 April) was hosted by Newcastle Research and Innovation Institute in Singapore (NewRIIS) and the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University.

The international symposium, funded by the UK Government Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aimed to identify the socio-economic, scientific and technical barriers to the mass uptake of electric vehicles (EV) and other electromobility.

It also addressed recycling technology and the broader transition towards decarbonisation of the land transport sector in the UK and Singapore.

These steps will help the governments in the UK and Singapore achieve ambitious carbon reduction targets to net zero.

Professor Richard Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global and Sustainability, Newcastle University joined Kara Owen, the British High Commissioner to Singapore and Natalie Black, HM Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific, UK Government in addressing the opening of the event.

Professor Davies said: “Our aim is to stimulate the development of solutions that will overcome barriers by identifying critical areas for further research and commercialisation.

“This symposium is an important step in deepening our collaborative relationship around impactful research and technological solutions with particular relevance to Singapore.” 

Finding solutions

Newcastle University has a long history in Singapore with an ongoing partnership with Singapore Institute of Technology. Now in its 105th year, the partnership has led to the successful graduation of some 3,500 engineering students.