(Singapore, 22nd) About 10,000 Tesla electric cars and electric motorbikes without auxiliary batteries in Singapore need to first install an external battery device before installing the smart onboard unit (OBU), otherwise they will not be able to provide stable power supply to the device.
However, Tesla owners have concerns about the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) self-developed external battery device, worried about potential fire risks and other issues.
An LTA spokesperson responded to inquiries and said that the external battery device developed by the authority follows strict international and industry standards, has passed stringent technical and fire safety assessments, and will not affect the functionality of the OBU or Tesla’s electronic equipment or circuitry.
Starting from January 1 next year, Singapore will fully implement the next-generation barrier-free Electronic Road Pricing system (ERP 2) to collect road charges, and all Singapore-registered vehicles must be equipped with an OBU or they will be in violation of the law.
All newly registered vehicles have had OBUs pre-installed since May 2024. However, due to technical issues, some electric vehicles including Teslas, electric motorbikes without auxiliary batteries, and vehicles with battery isolators were unable to have OBUs installed at that time.
LTA explained in response that this was because these vehicles could not provide a stable power supply to the OBU, causing the device to be unable to operate reliably. To solve this problem, these vehicles need to first install an external battery.
After discussions with Tesla Singapore, LTA selected the 'iRoad Powerpack Pro 12' external battery to power the OBU. Since December 2, 2024, all newly registered Teslas have had this external battery installed.
LTA: Self-developed external battery meets international standards
In addition, LTA collaborated with technology company Hope Technik to develop its own external battery, which comes with a two-year warranty.
Tesla electric cars registered before December 2, 2024, may choose to have the LTA-developed external battery and OBU installed for free. Owners may also choose to install the iRoad Powerpack Pro 12, but must purchase it themselves and engage Tesla Singapore for installation assistance.
However, the Tesla Owners Club Singapore posted an open letter to the LTA on Facebook on February 8, raising five points of concern. These included installing a non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery device in the car, whether continuous charging of the battery poses hidden dangers, and fire risks.
The LTA spokesperson responded that LTA and Tesla Singapore have conducted relevant tests to ensure the external battery does not affect the OBU’s function or Tesla's electronic equipment and circuitry. The battery also strictly follows international and industry standards in terms of safety, reliability, and interoperability.
The spokesperson also clarified that the external battery is not continuously charging; once the vehicle is turned off, it stops charging and only provides power to the OBU to ensure continued operation. The OBU also consumes less power than the card reader unit (IU) in the car.
LTA has appointed Indeco Engineers as the authorized workshop responsible for installing the external battery. Currently, about 4,200 Tesla electric cars have been equipped with the iRoad Powerpack Pro 12, while 380 Teslas have the LTA developed external battery installed.
A Tesla owner surnamed Lin, who did not wish to be named, said in an interview that when he registered his Tesla Model 3 in March 2024, he had thought about how to install the external battery. “Of course I was happy to see LTA develop an external battery, but also had concerns because the authority has not released details such as test results.”
Another owner, Wang Zhiwei (41, self-employed), believes that it’s good for the authority to provide a warranty. “The important thing is the willingness to guarantee battery quality, so owners can be reassured.”
An LTA spokesperson responded to inquiries and said that the external battery device developed by the authority follows strict international and industry standards, has passed stringent technical and fire safety assessments, and will not affect the functionality of the OBU or Tesla’s electronic equipment or circuitry.
Starting from January 1 next year, Singapore will fully implement the next-generation barrier-free Electronic Road Pricing system (ERP 2) to collect road charges, and all Singapore-registered vehicles must be equipped with an OBU or they will be in violation of the law.
All newly registered vehicles have had OBUs pre-installed since May 2024. However, due to technical issues, some electric vehicles including Teslas, electric motorbikes without auxiliary batteries, and vehicles with battery isolators were unable to have OBUs installed at that time.
LTA explained in response that this was because these vehicles could not provide a stable power supply to the OBU, causing the device to be unable to operate reliably. To solve this problem, these vehicles need to first install an external battery.
After discussions with Tesla Singapore, LTA selected the 'iRoad Powerpack Pro 12' external battery to power the OBU. Since December 2, 2024, all newly registered Teslas have had this external battery installed.
LTA: Self-developed external battery meets international standards
In addition, LTA collaborated with technology company Hope Technik to develop its own external battery, which comes with a two-year warranty.
Tesla electric cars registered before December 2, 2024, may choose to have the LTA-developed external battery and OBU installed for free. Owners may also choose to install the iRoad Powerpack Pro 12, but must purchase it themselves and engage Tesla Singapore for installation assistance.
However, the Tesla Owners Club Singapore posted an open letter to the LTA on Facebook on February 8, raising five points of concern. These included installing a non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery device in the car, whether continuous charging of the battery poses hidden dangers, and fire risks.
The LTA spokesperson responded that LTA and Tesla Singapore have conducted relevant tests to ensure the external battery does not affect the OBU’s function or Tesla's electronic equipment and circuitry. The battery also strictly follows international and industry standards in terms of safety, reliability, and interoperability.
The spokesperson also clarified that the external battery is not continuously charging; once the vehicle is turned off, it stops charging and only provides power to the OBU to ensure continued operation. The OBU also consumes less power than the card reader unit (IU) in the car.
LTA has appointed Indeco Engineers as the authorized workshop responsible for installing the external battery. Currently, about 4,200 Tesla electric cars have been equipped with the iRoad Powerpack Pro 12, while 380 Teslas have the LTA developed external battery installed.
A Tesla owner surnamed Lin, who did not wish to be named, said in an interview that when he registered his Tesla Model 3 in March 2024, he had thought about how to install the external battery. “Of course I was happy to see LTA develop an external battery, but also had concerns because the authority has not released details such as test results.”
Another owner, Wang Zhiwei (41, self-employed), believes that it’s good for the authority to provide a warranty. “The important thing is the willingness to guarantee battery quality, so owners can be reassured.”