Singapore startup lets drivers access wider EV charging network from within existing apps

USERS of electric vehicle (EV) charging services in Singapore can access up to 1,350 charging points run by 11 operators, without having to use multiple apps – as long as their charging service is part of VoltNet, a network created by local startup Beep.

By joining VoltNet, providers of EV charging – known as e-mobility service providers (EMSPs) – get access to a large network of charging points, although they may still need to negotiate separately with some individual charge-point operators (CPOs).

They can also use the point-of-sale solution from Beep subsidiary Voltality, which runs VoltNet. This means that users of each EMSP’s app can make payments for using charging points in the network.

VoltNet was officially launched on Thursday (Aug 17) with five EMSPs: Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS), Tribecar, EVFY, Singapore Electric Vehicles and Quantum Mobility.

For example, owners of Hyundai EVs who use its Ioniq Care+ app can charge their car at selected charging points on the network “without having to download multiple apps and sync different payment methods”, said Andy Kang, vice-president of sales and innovation at HMGICS.

“We believe this reduces barriers to EV ownership and paves the way forward to an EV-ready nation in Singapore,” he added.

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The 11 CPOs in the network are SP Group, CDG Engie, Charge+, Quickcharge.Sg, Go by City Energy, MNL, EVOne, Busways, Airetec, Supercharge.sg and Singcharge.

CPOs do not pay to join the network, but pay a “small fee” per successful charging session each time one of their charge points is used through the platform. Beep says the fee structure for EMSPs varies, but “in most cases”, EMSPs servicing commercial fleets are charged a per-user fee for access to the network.

Voltality does not have its own charging app. Instead, its application programming interface (API) allows interoperability between the various digital platforms involved.

Industry watcher Anil Das said the network will benefit most parties involved. End-users get “seamless access to different charging networks, CPOs can latch onto a common platform, and new EMSPs do not need to develop bespoke billing software systems”, said Das, who is director of the logistics and land transport cluster for JTC.

The official launch follows a pilot project that started in June 2022, with five CPOs – Charge+, ComfortDelGro ENGIE, Shell Recharge, Keppel Volt and QuickCharge.SG – and Gojek as the EMSP.

Alongside the launch, Beep announced that it had completed its seed funding round with GGV Capital and Wing Vasiksiri as the lead investors, though it did not disclose the amount of funding secured.

Other participants in the funding round included NUS Technology Holdings, SUTD Venture Holdings and XA Network. The proceeds will be used to enhance technical connectivity and expand the network in South-east Asia, with plans for Malaysia and Thailand, said Beep.

Amendment note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that EMSPs on the VoltNet platform will have access to all 1,350 charging points and that EMSPs do not need to negotiate with CPOs for access to their individual charging networks.

This is incorrect. Beep has since clarified that EMSPs using the platform will not have access to all charging points, as some CPOs require EMSPs to negotiate for access to their charging networks. Accordingly, users of those EMSPs apps can charge and pay through those apps only at selected charging points.

The article above has been revised to reflect this.