Singapore malls are offering more convenient parking to reward drivers with eco-friendly cars such as hybrid or electric vehicles.
Choice parking spots near entrances and lift lobbies are available in at least 13 Singapore malls, including 313@Somerset, Bedok Mall, Bugis Junction, City Square Mall, Jem and Punggol Waterway Point. The properties are owned by four developers: CapitaLand Malls, City Developments, Frasers Centrepoint and Lendlease.
Electric and hybrid cars are growing in popularity, with 14,139 petrol-electric hybrid cars registered as of last month, according to the Land Transport Authority. This is more than twice the 6371 registered in 2015. There are also 12 electric cars brands on the market, 11 more than in 2015.
A CapitaLand spokesman says the green parking spaces have been set aside to support Singapore’s move toward sustainable mobility. It has 16 such parking spaces in seven malls, including IMM and Westgate in Jurong.
Having 10 spaces for hybrid and four for electric cars was a “natural decision” for City Square Mall, which describes itself as “Singapore’s first eco-mall”. It has other green practices to ensure minimal energy waste and to reduce its carbon footprint, says a spokesman for City Developments, the mall’s manager.
City Square Mall’s electric-car parking spaces include charging outlets.
Drivers of eco-friendly cars are not the only ones to benefit, as projects assessed under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark scheme, Singapore’s green building certification, may earn points from providing green spaces. Gaining Green Mark accreditation can help developers become eligible for incentive and financing schemes.