The electric revolution is reshaping our roads, silently and swiftly. Where once the rumble of petrol engines dominated, now electric vehicles glide almost soundlessly, heralding a transformative era in sustainable transport. EVs are no longer a futuristic dream but an increasingly common sight, with global adoption steadily gaining momentum.
In the Asia Pacific region, the electric vehicle market is projected to surge, growing at a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 33.1% between 2023 and 2028. Singapore spearheads the region’s electric mobility transformation, with ambitious plans to expand its EV charging infrastructure from 3,600 to 60,000 points by 2030, ultimately aiming to phase out internal combustion engines entirely by 2040 under the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
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While the push for electrification represents a giant leap towards sustainability, it also demands robust infrastructure to support this growing fleet of EVs. Central to this is the network of EV charging stations—vital touchpoints that require not only efficiency but also resilience against evolving challenges.
Why EV charge points are IoT-connected
It’s simple; IoT connects EV charging stations so they can exchange data.
The data in question supports a range of operational needs. Firstly, to facilitate customer payments at public charging stations. Secondly, it enables charge point owners (CPOs) to track usage, monitor performance and understand demands on the grid. This becomes increasingly important as charge points become part of a wider transformation of energy infrastructure to be smarter, less reliant on fossil fuels, and to draw on more sustainable energy sources.
To support vehicle-to-grid charging, particularly crucial in Singapore’s space-constrained power grid, they need sophisticated load balancing insights and continuous infrastructure monitoring. This is especially vital given Singapore’s ambitious target of 60,000 charging points by 2030 and the Energy Market Authority (EMA)’s vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot programmes.
Without visibility into usage and power consumption, it becomes challenging to effectively manage grid fluctuations during peak periods (typically 2-6 pm in Singapore’s tropical climate), prevent power surges that could affect the nation’s robust electrical infrastructure, or support the island nation’s demand response initiatives aimed at maintaining the grid’s stability across its high-density charging network.
Charge point data, therefore, supports visibility and control for power consumption purposes, enables payments to be taken, and plays a critical role in performance and maintenance. EV drivers need charge points that are in good working order, and charging network operators are often bound by Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure reliability and efficiency. These agreements typically include maintenance response times—requiring operators to address reported faults within hours or days depending on the charger type—and real-time monitoring systems to proactively detect and resolve issues before they affect users.
EV charge point security must be prioritised
As charging infrastructure expands, attack surfaces increase leading to greater security risks. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities, and enterprises face potential breaches. In 2022, there were 57 million IoT malware attacks, a 77% increase year-on-year. These attacks result in downtime, recovery expenses, compliance fines, and reputational damage.
In ASEAN, the financial cost of a data breach averages S$4.34 million (US$3.33 million), according to IBM. Yet, 43% of businesses don’t fully secure IoT solutions, citing staff shortages and difficulty finding suitable solutions. Notably, a 2023 IDC survey found security to be the top consideration for IoT vendors, especially in Singapore, where stringent cybersecurity standards apply.
To mitigate such risks, Singapore’s government has introduced regulations like the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points Technical Guidelines by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which mandate cybersecurity measures for all public EV chargers. These guidelines, enforced by the Energy Market Authority (EMA), focus on minimizing downtime and ensuring the reliability of charging infrastructure. As Singapore aims for 60,000 charge points by 2030, even a 1% failure rate could disrupt 600+ chargers, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity to safeguard EV adoption goals.
How to optimise IoT security and reliability for EV charge points
Security and reliability are the backbone of EV charging infrastructure. Yet some operators turn to Wi-Fi, unaware of its shortcomings. Wi-Fi struggles in outdoor or shielded locations—where EV chargers are often installed—leading to dropped connections, failed payments, and frustrated drivers. Its open nature also makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks, exposing sensitive data like payment credentials and grid communications.
Cellular IoT offers a better alternative. Built on encrypted, carrier-grade networks, it ensures consistent, secure connectivity across all locations while simplifying large-scale deployments. To maximise protection, operators should adopt a ‘secure by design’ approach — integrating industry standards like IoT SAFE for secure authentication, deploying real-time monitoring to detect anomalies, and ensuring regular software updates to guard against evolving threats. Connectivity is not just a technical decision; it is a foundation for trust. Cellular IoT delivers the resilience, security, and scalability EV charge points need to power the future of sustainable mobility.
In Singapore and throughout APAC, navigating regional regulations introduces additional complexities. Organisations need to align their security practices with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and account for cross-border data rules when operating across various APAC regions. To manage this, it’s crucial to collaborate with security partners who have a deep understanding of the region’s intricate regulatory environment.
The road to electrification is clear, but its success depends on durable security measures that protect both the infrastructure and users. While we steer towards an electric future, the focus must be on creating not just a widespread charging network, but one that inspires complete user trust. Only then can we fully realise the promise of sustainable urban mobility.
The article titled “Safeguarding the charge: Security in EV infrastructure” was contributed by Simon Trend, Managing Director, Americas, APAC and MENA, Wireless Logic
About the author
Simon comes from a strong technical and senior commercial background with over 20 years of experience in technology, Having previously worked with Wireless Logic to design the early SIMPro platform, Simon joined Wireless Logic in 2016 returning to the UK after two years in Asia heading up in a senior commercial and operations role in the telecommunications sector. Working at the executive level, Simon has experience working alongside some of the world’s biggest brands including Google, Vodafone, Samsung and Sony delivering complex technology and operations solutions into mature and emerging markets. Simon is responsible for the innovation, development and support of the Wireless Logic business systems and applications.