The Land Transport Authority has approved FairPrice Group, operator of the popular FairPrice supermarket chain, to operate remotely supervised autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public roads, making it the first organisation in Singapore to deploy such driverless freight vehicles in real-world logistics operations. The approval follows earlier on-site trials and allows the group to use these vehicles for short-haul movements between its distribution centres in the Benoi and Joo Koon areas. The initiative aims to streamline goods transport between distribution centers, enhancing efficiency in a city-state where logistics face intense pressure from urban density and sustainability demands.
The AVs, known as Zelos Z10 vans, are fully driverless and electric, capable of carrying up to 1.5 tonnes of goods with a range of about 210 km. FairPrice plans to scale its fleet to about 30 vehicles, building on a pilot that began in 2024. Human operators will supervise the vehicles remotely, ensuring safety while reducing the need for onboard drivers.
Beyond boosting operational efficiency and reducing reliance on manual labour, FairPrice expects the adoption of AVs to contribute to its sustainability efforts. The company estimates that replacing conventional trucks with these electric autonomous vehicles could cut its carbon emissions by around 27 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
This milestone signals growing confidence in autonomous logistics and highlights Singapore’s continued push to integrate advanced mobility technologies into commercial operations. It may also pave the way for broader industry uptake of driverless freight transport as part of the nation’s long-term digitalisation and sustainability strategies.
(Sources: The Straits Times; Land Transport Authority)
