Debated in Parliament on 9 May 2016.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport whether the Tesla Model 3 electric car will be entitled to a rebate under the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS).
Madam, Tesla Motors has just launched the Tesla Model 3 in the United States on 31 March 2016, and only a prototype was displayed. When it is ready to be sold in Singapore, the importers will have to submit its electrical energy consumption information for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to assess if it will attract a rebate or a surcharge. If it is as energy efficient as a new Tesla S, a new Tesla 3 car would be entitled to the maximum rebate under our current Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS).
I thank the Minister for his answer. I would like to ask: why is it that there was such a hoo-ha about the Tesla in the previous case? Why is it that there was no rebate?
I suppose Tesla, being a sexy and iconic product, attracts attention. But I think what was lost in the debate was that that particular unit was a second-hand Tesla. In other words, if it were a new Tesla Model S, it would have enjoyed the maximum rebate of $30,000. But for all imported second-hand cars, whether electric or otherwise, we have a duty to require the second-hand car to be retested to find out what exactly is the fuel consumption or the CO2 emission rate, so that we can apply the rebate or surcharge properly.
As an engineer, the Member would know that the condition of a car, after being used for a while, depends very much on how well you maintain it and how well you use it. And its fuel efficiency can vary quite a lot.
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