Buying your first EV in Singapore involves more considerations than a standard car purchase. Here are the 12 things every first-time EV buyer should check before signing on the dotted line.
Buying an EV in Singapore is different from buying a petrol car — there are charging decisions, rebate claims, and long-term battery considerations that don't apply to conventional vehicles. Here's your complete 12-point checklist before you sign.
Before You Visit the Showroom
1. Determine your daily driving distance — if it's under 80km, almost any EV with 300+ km range works for you
2. Check whether your home has dedicated charging options (landed: yes easily; HDB: check your estate's car park)
3. Research the nearest public fast-charging station to your home and workplace using the SP Mobility app
4. Set your budget including COE — remember COE adds $80,000–$115,000 to any EV purchase
5. Identify which models qualify for the $25,000 VES rebate (all BEVs under $280,000 OTR)
At the Showroom
6. Ask for the full OTR price breakdown — see COE, ARF, VES rebate, and dealer discount separately
7. Request a test drive of at least 30 minutes — include an expressway section to evaluate highway range anxiety
8. Ask about the battery warranty — look for at least 8 years or 160,000km coverage
9. Check if the dealer offers a home charger as part of the purchase deal, and what installation involves
10. Confirm the servicing package — first 3 years is typically included; ask about extended service contracts
Before Signing
11. Verify the COE bidding policy — if they secure a lower COE, do they pass the saving to you?
12. Take our AI quiz on SGElectrik — it cross-references your lifestyle against all 13 EV models and gives a personalised recommendation with reasoning
Pro tip: Never sign the same day as your first showroom visit. Singapore dealers are generally not high-pressure, and taking 48 hours to compare dealers and financing options is time well spent.