Commenting on the partnership, Law Chung Ming, Executive Director (Transport & Logistics), Enterprise Singapore said, “We are heartened to see SC Auto reaching this new milestone in its innovation journey, with the launch of the Volvo BZL – SC Neustar City Electric Bus. Its successful partnership with Volvo demonstrates that Singapore companies have the right capabilities and make good partners for global corporates to co-innovate solutions to address the growing demand for sustainable transport. Enterprise SG will continue to work with local companies such as SC Auto to build new capabilities and explore partnerships to capture new opportunities emerging from the green economy.”
Contributing Towards Singapore’s Green Plan by 2040
Aligned with Singapore’s electrification plan for public buses to have a 100% cleaner energy bus fleet by 2040, the newly launched electric bus provides a viable solution as a greener way for people to travel. The Volvo BZL-SC Neustar City electric bus is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 60% or approximately 329kg per passenger per year of carbon dioxide for every 15,000km when comparing an electric bus to that of a diesel bus’s similar journey.
Rachel Lee, Managing Director of SC Auto Industries said, “Today’s launch is an important step for SC Auto as we roll out viable electric buses as part of sustainable land transport solutions for Singapore. We believe this to be an important contribution to the nation’s agenda of transitioning to a climate-friendly, net zero emissions mobility sector by 2040. I am delighted that our strong partnership with Volvo Buses has helped to unlock more possibilities in green transport – their pioneering automotive technology, coupled with our expertise in building best-in-class buses, are particularly well matched. As a homegrown manufacturer, we take great pride in our products and are confident that this electric bus meets with our customers’ high expectations on sustainability and climate-suited infrastructure.”
Mats Nilsson, Director of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific Central said, “We are incredibly proud to showcase the first Volvo BZL-SC Neustar City in Singapore. With a local track record of over 40 years, today’s launch represents a key milestone for the manufacturing industry here, and officially kicks off Volvo’s complete electromobility offering in Singapore. At Volvo Buses, we believe that these changing and complex times require more strong partnerships like that of ours and SC Auto’s, which result in exciting innovations like this electric bus and provide inspiring leadership to push forward the green transport agenda. Of note, this partnership involves competence transfer between the two companies, providing a glo-cal solution to meet local market needs, and (from Singapore) enabling the further expansion of our joint regional activities.”
Creating Jobs and Upskilling Workforce
The new electric bus will be produced in SC Auto’s 200,000 square feet factory at 51 Senoko Road. In line with Singapore’s 10-year plan to grow its manufacturing sector by 50 per cent in 2030, which is a key driver of the nation’s economic growth, SC Auto and Volvo are expected to create up to 100 new job opportunities in its workforce and/or upgrade the skills of 50% of its existing workforce as production for the new bus ramps up at its factory.
Additionally, both Volvo and SC Auto are already collaborating with local tertiary institutions, including ITEs through the ITE Work-Study Diploma program, as well as Polytechnics and Universities to help nurture the next generation of engineers, and collectively contribute to Singapore’s emerging electric vehicle ecosystem.
The Volvo BZL-SC Neustar City electric bus will be trailed on Singapore’s roads by end-2022.
Click the link to know more about Volvo BZL-SC Neustar City
Media Contacts:
Volvo Buses Singapore
Yuki Wu
Marketing and Communications Manager
Yuki.Wu@Volvo.com
SC Auto
Irin Chen
Marketing Manager
Irin.chen@SCAuto.com.sg
