Singapore’s motorists are starting to receive a new piece of required tech: the ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit (OBU). After years of development, this system is now being installed in all new vehicles. This post gives an in-depth review of the motorcycle version. We’ll look at how it works, how it compares to the old unit, and what it means for riders.
What Is the ERP 2.0 OBU?
The ERP 2.0 system replaces the in-vehicle unit (IU) many drivers know. The project has been in the works for over seven years. It has cost an estimated $556 million to roll out. Starting in May 2024, all newly registered motorcycles and cars come fitted with this new OBU. Owners of existing vehicles will get theirs in the coming months.
If you get a letter for installation, you typically have two months to get it done. You must go to a designated inspection center. Doing it within that period is free. If you miss the deadline, the fee is $35 for installation.
A Physical Tour of the Motorcycle OBU
The most obvious change is the size. The new OBU is significantly larger than the old IU unit. The larger size is very clear when seen next to a rider’s hand. The old unit was much more compact.
Another big change involves the card. The old stored-value cash cards do not work with the new OBU. You must use an EZ-Link card or another CEPAS-enabled card. You insert it the same way, but removing it is harder.
The Card Slot Design Flaw
Getting the card out is a problem, especially for motorcyclists. With bare hands, it is already tricky. With riding gloves on, it can be nearly impossible. The slot design offers little to grip. The old IU had a bit of the card sticking out. This allowed for a pinch grip, even with gloves. The new OBU’s flush design fails in this real-world scenario.
The Display and Screen
The OBU does have one clear improvement: the screen. It is larger than the old display. It also has a backlight. This makes checking your card balance much easier. The information is clearer to see at a glance.
Performance and Installation on a Motorbike
A common worry with the car version was overheating. For the motorcycle unit, this does not seem to be a major issue. One rider used it for an hour in direct sun. The unit did not overheat or break down. It performed reliably in that condition.
There can be some gantry sensitivity issues. Some older car park gantries might not read the OBU perfectly. This seems to depend on the location. For most ERP gantries across the island, it works without a problem. The unit also shows the current date and time.
The Wiring and Battery Drain
Installation means more wires in your motorcycle. There are wires connecting to the ignition, the bike’s ECU, and the battery. This can look messy. A key concern is parasitic drain on the battery.
The old IU system, when wired through the ignition, drew no power when the bike was off. The new OBU is different. It always has a small current passing through. It does reduce its power draw when the bike is off. So far, this has not caused major battery problems. But it is a change from the old, simpler system.
Using the Controls and Settings
The unit has a touch-sensitive button to bring up a menu. There is also a separate keypad button. Currently, this second button does not do anything. The touch sensitivity of the screen is poor. It responds slowly, even with a bare finger.
Pressing the main button enters the settings. Here you can adjust a few things:
- The brightness level of the backlit display.
- The volume of the unit’s beeps.
- You can also view your OBU’s device number. You need this number to register for season parking at some locations.
That is currently the extent of the user controls and features.
Overall Thoughts on the ERP 2.0 System
From a technical view, the motorcycle OBU is not a complete failure. The car version has faced harsher criticism for using poor, old technology. The bike version is closer to the old IU in basic function. But this leads to the biggest complaint: its current lack of purpose.
The unit itself offers only a slight improvement—the better screen. For most riders, it is a larger, more annoying unit that does the same job. The huge cost to taxpayers for this change is hard to justify for such a minor upgrade.
The Promised Future Potential
The theory behind ERP 2.0 is bigger than the unit itself. The OBU should enable new ways to charge for road use. The idea is distance-based charging. With satellite tracking, you would pay for the exact distance you drive. This could make vehicle ownership more fair.
This system could also replace the current COE system. People could afford a bike or car more easily upfront. They would then pay based on how much they actually use the roads. This is the potential benefit that was sold with the OBU.
The Current Reality
Right now, that potential is not being realized. There are no plans to remove the old ERP gantries. There is also no timeline to start using satellite tracking. Without these changes, the OBU is just a more expensive, bulkier version of the old IU.
The system feels like a drain on time and public money. The main benefit seems to go to the contractors who built it. For the average motorcyclist, it is an inconvenient swap with little upside.
Conclusion: A Rocky Start with an Unclear Future
The ERP 2.0 OBU for motorcycles is here. It works, but with some design flaws like the difficult card slot. It offers a better screen but adds more wiring. For now, it simply replaces the old IU without changing how you pay for road use.
The real question is about the future. Will the government use this technology for its promised purpose? Will we see distance-based charging and a shift away from COE? Or will this remain an expensive, over-engineered replacement for a simpler system?
Only time will tell if this rocky start leads to a better system. For now, riders have to live with this new piece of required gear on their bikes.