Singapore: Weekend Car Scheme

Before the implementation of the Road Pricing Scheme, the government introduced the Weekend Car (WEC) Scheme to provide further incentive to reduce vehicle use.  A WEC owner received rebates on the net ARF, and import duty and quota premium (up to a maximum of S$15,000), and paid only 30 per cent of the normal road tax. In return, he could only use his WEC during off-peak hours. Owners were given 5 special day licenses for urgent use during other hours (at $20/day) when they paid their annual road tax. 

Singapore: Financial disincentives to car ownership

The Ministry of Finance has levied a steep import duty on vehicles. The Land Transport Authority collects a heavy registration fee and an additional registration fee (ARF) for each vehicle registered in Singapore, as well as the annual Road Tax, which increases proportionate to the size of the vehicle’s engine, penalizing owners of larger capacity, higher polluting engines.

Date Implemented: 1970s

Singapore: Incentives for switching to Euro IV compliant vehicles

Through the end of 2005, Euro IV taxis get an ARF Rebate of 100% of the open market values, and 80% after that (through Sept 2006).  Through Sept 2006, all Euro IV buses and commercial vehicles are ARF exempt.

Date Implemented: 2004

Status: In Force; Voluntary

References: NEWS RELEASE NO: 26/2005

Singapore: Road Traffic Act

This Act sets out the regulations related to road traffic, and the use of vehicles in Singapore.  It specifies that it is illegal to drive any vehicle that does not meet the minimum standards proscribed in this Act, and designates the categories of vehicles, and the taxes on them.

Date Implemented: 1961; revised 1970, 1985, 1994, 1997, 2004

Status: In Force; Mandatory

Singapore: Investment Allowance Scheme

The government offers a tax exemption equal to a specified proportion of an investment made towards modernizing equipment for increased energy efficiency/productivity by 20% or more.

Date Implemented: revised 2005

Status: In Force; Voluntary

References: National Communication to the UNFCCC

http://www.scal.com.sg/index.cfm?GPID=255 

Singapore: Area Licensing Scheme/Road User Charge

Singapore: Local Enterprise Finance Scheme (LEFS)

This incentive is intended to help local enterprises defray the cost of modernizing and upgrading their operations, including making them more energy efficient. It awards fixed interest rate loans (Maximum of $15 million) to local enterprises for factory upgrades and other operational improvements. 

Status: In Force; Voluntary

Singapore: Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)

This incentive is intended to help local enterprises defray the cost of modernizing and upgrading their operations, including making them more energy efficient. It allows them to employ external expertise for the process. They can get financial grants of up to 70% of the cost of the consultancy (S$40,000 MAX)

Status: In Force; Voluntary

References: National Communication to the UNFCCC

Singapore: Income Tax Act

To encourage companies to replace old, energy-consuming equipment with more energy efficient ones and to invest in energy-saving equipment, including solar equipment, Singapore has developed a one-year accelerated depreciation allowance for energy efficient equipment and technology.  Provisions in the Income Tax Act promote efficiency by allowing expenditure to improve efficiency to be deducted as an expenditure rather than as a capital expenditure that has to be depreciated over time.

Singapore: Increased efforts to use natural gas

Since natural gas is cleaner than fuel oil, Singapore has taken several steps to increase electricity production from natural gas rather than from fuel oil.  It has supported companies in entering import agreements with Malaysia and with the Indonesian state-owned company, Pertamina, to supply natural gas imports.  It is also interested in building an LNG import terminal to allow it to further diversify its supply.

Date Implemented: 1992