The program starts in June next year with 125 EVs and 250 charging stations. By 2020, the country plans to have 2000 charging points.

The Singapore Economic Development Board and the Land Transport Authority reported they had an agreement with BlueSG, a unit of Bollore Group, to operate the electric car-sharing program.

Bollore is a diverse European conglomerate with energy and plantation interests but specifically runs the Velib bicycle rent and Autolib car-sharing program in France, and manufactures the Bollore Bluecar EV.

It also operates Autolib services in Turin, Italy and in Indianapolis, USA.

The agreement with Singapore is for 10 years and Bollore will invest about $100 million. Bollore is expected to charge about $A10 for use of a car for 15 minutes.

By Neil Dowling