Energy & Technology

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily becoming a mainstream transport option in Southeast Asia, with increasing numbers of consumers embracing cleaner alternatives. According to Mr Vijay Ratnaparkhe, President of Bosch Southeast Asia, the region has witnessed a notable rise in EV adoption, climbing from 9 per cent in 2023 to 13 per cent in 2024. In Singapore, the shift has been particularly significant, with one-third of new vehicle registrations in 2024 being electric, compared to nearly one in five the previous year, and just over one in ten in 2022. Despite this encouraging trend, progress has not been as rapid as initially anticipated. Mr Ratnaparkhe noted that key challenges persist—specifically around cost, battery performance, resale value, and the accessibility of charging infrastructure. In response, global technology supplier Bosch continues to support the region’s transition to electric mobility by addressing infrastructure gaps and working to dispel prevailing misconceptions surrounding EVs. Southeast Asia’s geographical diversity and infrastructure development present a complex combination of challenges and opportunities. While certain markets have benefited from swift EV uptake thanks to government incentives, others lag due to infrastructure constraints and consumer uncertainty. One of the most pressing barriers remains the limited availability of reliable and accessible charging networks. Without sufficient charging stations, many prospective drivers experience “range anxiety”—the concern that their vehicle might deplete its battery before locating a charging point. Mr Ratnaparkhe explained that while early EV models had limited driving ranges, the latest generation of vehicles has seen considerable improvement. “Thanks to ever-improving range prediction and navigation systems showing available charging stations, EV drivers can now clearly understand how far their battery will take them and where nearby charging stations are,” he said. “By continually assessing the driver’s surroundings, the vehicle can provide precise range calculations, minimising anxiety. With advances in battery technology and more efficient components—such as the use of silicon carbide in inverters—EVs will continue to achieve greater distances on a single charge.” Another area of concern is long-term battery health and the associated impact on resale value. Cost-conscious consumers in the region often take into account long-term maintenance expenses and future asset value when considering a switch to EVs. Many continue to favour hybrid vehicles as a more familiar and less risky investment, especially in light of concerns surrounding battery degradation. To address this, Bosch has introduced a battery certification service to help evaluate the condition and residual value of batteries in used EVs. This initiative is designed to increase consumer confidence in the second-hand EV market. Despite the growing popularity of EVs, persistent myths remain. A common misconception involves concerns over EV performance in wet weather or during floods—scenarios often encountered in the region. “EVs are designed and tested to resist water damage, just like combustion cars,” said Mr Ratnaparkhe. “The battery pack is well insulated and reinforced with shielding, while the high-voltage cables connecting the battery to the motors are also insulated. Electric and hybrid vehicles include fail-safe systems that automatically shut down electrical components in the event of a collision or short circuit. While it is never advisable to drive through floodwaters, concerns over EV safety in such situations are largely unfounded.” Cost remains another perceived barrier. Mr Ratnaparkhe noted that while tariffs continue to influence supply chain dynamics, the overall cost of EV ownership is becoming more competitive. Thanks to economies of scale and advancements in battery technology, the upfront cost of EVs is falling. In addition, tax incentives and exemptions from road taxes in certain countries are helping to close the price gap between EVs and traditional vehicles. With continued technological innovation and robust government support across the region, EV ownership is becoming an increasingly viable and environmentally responsible choice. Bosch’s internal data indicates that EVs produce between 20 and 30 per cent less carbon dioxide over their lifecycle compared to equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles—taking into account manufacturing, usage, and recycling phases. Looking ahead to 2030, the company anticipates even greater environmental advantages, with new EVs expected to emit approximately 40 per cent less carbon dioxide than their conventional counterparts. Mr Ratnaparkhe remains optimistic about the acceleration of EV adoption in Southeast Asia. A broader range of models, increased competition from new entrants, and decreasing battery costs are contributing to a more attractive EV market. In addition, younger, environmentally conscious consumers are playing a pivotal role in driving demand. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is further enhancing the EV experience, enabling real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and personalised driving features. “Software will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of mobility,” said Mr Ratnaparkhe. “With new hardware and software solutions, we are helping to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.”

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, widely known as Foxconn and the primary assembler of Apple Inc’s iPhones, has committed US$1.5 billion (RM6.4 billion) to its Indian subsidiary, reinforcing its strategic pivot away from China. The investment, made via Foxconn’s Singapore-based unit, was disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday. The move is part of Foxconn’s broader initiative to expand its manufacturing footprint in southern India. The Taiwan-based electronics giant is actively developing new facilities and boosting production capacity in the region. The company has not issued an official statement in response to media inquiries regarding the investment. Apple is intensifying its efforts to diversify its supply chain by shifting a significant portion of its iPhone production to India. The company aims to source the majority of iPhones sold in the United States from India by the end of next year. The transition has drawn criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who recently disclosed that he urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the development of production facilities outside the United States. This latest development underscores Apple’s ongoing efforts to reduce exposure to China amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. Although Apple has pledged to invest US$500 billion domestically over the next four years and hire more American workers, the company currently has no smartphone manufacturing operations within the United States. The majority of iPhone production remains concentrated in China. Foxconn is simultaneously scaling up its investments in the United States as part of its risk mitigation strategy in response to potential future tariffs and political pressures. India has emerged as a key manufacturing hub in Apple’s global supply chain. In the 12 months ending March, Apple assembled US$22 billion worth of iPhones in India, representing a nearly 60% increase in output year-on-year. Foxconn’s southern India facility serves as the central hub for the production of India-assembled iPhones. Tata Group, through its electronics manufacturing arm, has also become a significant partner in Apple’s India operations, following its acquisition of Wistron Corp’s local business and the management of Pegatron Corp’s Indian activities. -Bloomberg

SINGAPORE: Quantified Energy (QE), a Singapore-based deep-tech company at the forefront of drone and AI-enabled solar inspection technology, announced its Series A fundraise led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India today. Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore, QE developed an autonomous drone electroluminescence (EL) mapping solution and provides inspection services for utility-scale and commercial solar systems. The global solar market is experiencing rapid growth, with BloombergNEF projecting up to 4.5 TW of new solar PV capacity to be installed between now and 2030. Large-scale systems remain the key driver of this expansion. By enabling precise and non-destructive in-situ diagnostics for solar power systems at unprecedented throughput, QE empowers solar asset owners and financiers to reduce the risk of premature degradation and improve safety. This, in turn, helps optimise asset performance throughout a solar PV system’s lifespan, leading to higher energy yield and improved return on investment. “Quantified Energy’s founders are solar researchers from Asia and Europe who came together in Singapore with a shared mission to make every PV module count throughout its lifetime”, said Dr. Yan Wang, CEO of Quantified Energy. “With this new round of funding, we will be rolling out our second-generation drone EL inspection solution globally. Any partner operating a DJI M300/M350 drone can plug in QE’s EL payload and subscribe to our ‘pay-per-use’ model—instantly unlocking the ability to perform high-throughput EL inspections for clients. Through this approach, we contribute to safeguarding the exponential growth of the solar PV industry.” The company has deployed its solutions across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. Last year, QE completed the world’s largest EL inspection, covering over one million PV modules at a single site within three weeks. Recently, QE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TÜV Rheinland at Intersolar Europe 2025 in Munich, Germany, to drive the adoption of drone based EL mapping in key European markets such as Spain and Portugal. This follows multiple successful pilot projects between the two companies across the region. With this latest funding round, QE will accelerate its global business development efforts and double down on product innovations to cater to the needs of the fast-growing solar industry. “Solar power is a cornerstone of the global renewable energy transition. Quantified Energy’s unique capabilities are well-positioned to transform how solar assets are managed and financed. We are excited to work with Quantified Energy to bring their innovations to the global solar market,” said Puiyan Leung, Partner of Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India.

BEIJING: Chinese aerospace firm LandSpace Technology has achieved a significant milestone in the commercial space race with the successful launch of its enhanced methane-powered Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket, placing six satellites into orbit on Saturday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. The lift-off, which occurred at 12:12 p.m. local time (04:12 GMT), marked the fifth flight for the Zhuque-2 rocket series and the latest demonstration of China’s private sector capabilities in low-cost, cleaner launch solutions. Beijing-based LandSpace, founded in 2015, was the first globally to successfully deploy a methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) rocket in July 2023—outpacing US aerospace giants such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. The Zhuque-2E series reflects the firm’s growing emphasis on reusable technologies. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon-fuelled launch vehicles, methalox propulsion offers significant environmental and safety advantages, and is increasingly viewed as essential for next-generation, reusable rocket systems. LandSpace has steadily improved the Zhuque-2’s payload capacity to meet the rising demand of China’s commercial satellite sector. Saturday’s mission carried six satellites developed predominantly by Changsha-based Spacety (Changsha Tianyi Space Science and Technology Research Institute), a key player in China’s satellite manufacturing industry. Li Xiaoming, Vice-President of Spacety, outlined during a livestream hosted by LandSpace that the payload included a radar satellite, two multispectral satellites, and three scientific experiment satellites, ranging from 20kg to 300kg in mass. The radar satellite, capable of penetrating clouds and operating under all-weather conditions day or night, offers precision imaging at millimetre-level surface shifts. Such capabilities are essential for applications in urban development, transport infrastructure, and energy sector monitoring. The scientific satellites will contribute to China’s deep-space exploration programmes, while the multispectral satellites will support environmental monitoring and mineral resource identification. This latest launch also marked LandSpace’s first implementation of a propulsion enhancement involving the cryogenic chilling of both liquid oxygen and methane below their respective boiling points, resulting in greater thrust and performance. LandSpace is currently developing reusable rocket technologies, with founder and CEO Zhang Changwu confirming plans for a test launch in the second half of 2025. The company’s innovations align with industry trends established by SpaceX, whose reusable launch systems have drastically reduced costs and accelerated mission frequencies. The commercial space sector in China has expanded rapidly since 2014, following policy reforms that welcomed private capital. LandSpace has been one of the leading and best-funded players, having raised significant investment from notable backers including HongShan (formerly Sequoia Capital China), Country Garden’s investment arm, and the China SME Development Fund. In December 2023, LandSpace secured 900 million yuan (approximately USD 120 million) from a state-owned fund focused on advanced manufacturing, following an earlier 1.2 billion yuan round in 2020, according to Chinese corporate filings. While Spacety has previously faced scrutiny—sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2023 for alleged links to Russian military operations, allegations the company has denied—it continues to play a central role in China’s commercial satellite development landscape. With technical upgrades now in place and reusable technologies on the horizon, LandSpace is poised to strengthen its position in the competitive global launch services market. -Reuters

US semiconductor giant Nvidia Corporation is reportedly moving ahead with plans to establish a research and development (R&D) centre in Shanghai, according to the Financial Times, as the company adapts to increasingly restrictive export controls imposed by Washington. The proposed R&D hub aims to support Nvidia’s efforts in navigating the growing complexities of the Chinese market, particularly in light of escalating US regulations that prevent the company from selling some of its most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. These restrictions have opened the door for domestic competitors, most notably Huawei Technologies Co, to capture greater market share. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is said to have discussed the initiative with Shanghai’s mayor during a visit to the city last month, sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times. The Shanghai-based facility would focus on “researching the specific demands of Chinese customers and the complex technical requirements needed to satisfy Washington’s curbs.” Core chip design and production activities would remain outside China to comply with US regulations concerning intellectual property and technology transfers. Nvidia and Shanghai authorities have not issued official comments in response to media queries. Huang also visited Beijing last month, where he met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. According to state-run news agency Xinhua, Huang expressed optimism about China’s economic prospects and signalled Nvidia’s intent to deepen its engagement with the Chinese market. He reaffirmed the company’s willingness to play a constructive role in facilitating trade ties between the United States and China. This strategic move comes at a time of broader economic uncertainty in China. Domestic consumer confidence remains fragile, and a protracted crisis in the property sector continues to weigh heavily on overall economic growth. In response, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated calls for technological self-reliance, emphasising the need to strengthen basic research and accelerate breakthroughs in critical technologies, including semiconductors and AI. The Biden administration has in recent years tightened export controls on high-end chip technologies to China, citing concerns that they could be used to bolster Beijing’s military capabilities and undermine the US’s leadership in AI. As geopolitical tensions persist and market conditions evolve, Nvidia’s decision to enhance its R&D footprint in Shanghai reflects a pragmatic approach to maintaining relevance and competitiveness in a market that remains central to the global tech landscape. -Taipei Times