EVs are picking up in Singapore. In fact, Singapore has a target phase-out date for petrol vehicles: by the year , the government aims to have almost no Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles on the road.
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That’s why from 1st January till 31st January , the EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) will provide rebates of up to 45 per cent on the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) for fully electric cars (to a maximum rebate of $20,000). The Land Transport Authority (LTA) estimates this could lower the upfront cost for electric cars by around 11 per cent.
This is in addition to the inherent advantages of an EV, such as being able to save on long term petrol costs. But with so many EVs coming on to the market, you may be wondering how to differentiate between them. Here’s a checklist of questions to ask, when shortlisting the possibilities:
Not all EVs are fully electric cars. There are actually three main categories of EVs:
AEVs usually run for 130 to just over 160 kilometres before needing recharging, although some manufacturers advertise longer distances (see below for more details on charging stations).
As such, you may want to consider if there are convenient charging points at the office or your home, before electing to purchase an AEV.
PHEVs and hybrid vehicles run on electricity until the battery is depleted, then switch over to a traditional engine. For example, one of the most commonly seen models of PHEV in Singapore, the Toyota Prius, can go about 40 kilometres on electricity before switching to petrol. The exact balance of electrical to petrol use will vary based on the car model, so do enquire with the dealership. PHEVs tend to be quicker to charge, as the batteries are smaller.
*Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are both considered to be a form of AEV
If you just make short trips to and from work, an AEV will usually suffice. However, long-distance drivers – such as if you often drive far into Malaysia – may be better off with a PHEV. If your battery dies and there’s no charging station nearby, you could be saddled with a hefty towing fee!
You'll also notice that more taxis use PHEVs, due to their significantly higher travel distances. This is worth considering if you're a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) driver.
Before you buy, try to approximate the distance you drive daily or monthly. As mentioned above, most AEVs will last 130 to 160 kilometres – they’re not well suited to drivers who regularly exceed this distance daily. Check the specifics with the dealership so you can plan accordingly.
All batteries – be it in your or your car – degrade over time. In the same way the battery life of an old gets shorter and shorter, the distance covered by an EV gets lower as the battery degrades.
Most car manufacturers, including Tesla, Volkswagen, and BMW, tend to claim eight years or 100,000 miles (almost 161,000 kilometres) before the battery degrades. This number can be affected by the way you drive, the way you charge the vehicle, and even by climate conditions.
Do check how likely it is you’ll have to replace the battery at some point, and what the relevant costs may be. Also, note that for some manufacturers, the battery and the vehicle may have separate warranties (it’s possible for the warranty on the vehicle to exceed the warranty on the battery).
In time this will stop being an issue, as there're plans to have 60,000 charging stations across Singapore by . At least eight HDB towns will have car parks with charging stations by .
For now however, you do have to consider where you’d charge the car. It’s an unfortunate fact that, if you live deep in a landed housing enclave, or in an older condominium development, you probably don’t have a charging point nearby. This will require trips to a petrol station that can accommodate you (if you Google “nearest EV charging point”), you can get map-specific details.
While fast chargers can power your battery in as little as 30 minutes, slower charging points can take up to five hours. This may be impractical for some drivers (remember someone else may be using it too, so you’ll have to wait).
If you don’t have a fast charging point nearby, you might consider a hybrid vehicle instead.
In general, EVs are more resilient than ICE vehicles – this is because their engine mostly consists of a large battery pack, with fewer moving parts that break. However, this doesn’t completely mitigate the need for maintenance; and car accidents do happen.
So if you’re going to import a car, or buy a less common model, be sure to ask about the maintenance needs. It’s best to avoid certain vehicles if replacement parts are not available locally, or if workshops here are unfamiliar with it. Apart from the high cost of repairs, it can also be more time consuming to get help.
Don’t just ask the dealer or manufacturer; do approach car workshops as well, to get a local mechanic’s opinion.
In terms of pure price comparison, EVs tend to cost more than their ICE counterparts. The price gap has been narrowed thanks to the EEAI; and many EVs qualify for the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) rebate. This can further reduce your costs by $10,000 to $20,000.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Leisure electric cars. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
But this aside, EVs are not going to be the cheapest cars in the showrooms. They may have a good long term pay off, due to savings on petrol; but you must be willing to foot the higher upfront cost.
Do compare the carbon emissions between models, as this can differ even between AEVs. PHEVs and hybrids will have higher emissions than AEVs, as they also burn petrol. If your concern is to get the greenest choice possible, then pick among the AEVs only.
Most drivers find EVs a pleasant experience, as electric vehicles have smoother acceleration and are quieter. But as with any other vehicle, make sure that all intended drivers can adapt to its handling, size, and rate of acceleration (EVs tend to accelerate faster than ICE counterparts).
Electric cars have been growing in popularity in the last decade. More and more people worldwide are showing interest in buying electric vehicles to help save the planet and reduce the environmental pollution caused by gas cars.
An electric car has all the benefits of a regular car without pollutant emissions and noise. However, is it also the same in terms of shipping? Is it dangerous to ship an electric vehicle? Will it cost too much? How often do things go wrong in the process?
Here are your ten most frequently asked questions about electric cars relocation and the answers.
The answer is simple; if you’re traveling to a place that’s far away or planning to relocate, it’s better to have your car shipped than drive all the way there. Transporting your vehicle is a secure relocation method to reduce the chances of car accidents and avoid surprising weather conditions. Moreover, it saves the wear and tear of driving the car for a long time.
There are many benefits associated with relocating your electric car with the help of an car transport company. These benefits include avoiding traffic jams on highways, saving money on car maintenance, and going through the road without worrying about charging points or running out of battery power before reaching your destination.
It also allows you to choose other means of transportation to your location, such as flying while your car is being shipped.
Electric cars are more challenging to transport than their gas counterparts. And that’s because they contain a lot of sensitive electronics and components that can easily be damaged in an accident.
For example, there’s the problem of the lithium-ion battery; batteries that contain lithium are more efficient and eco-friendly, and that’s why they’re used in electric vehicles. However, there have been several accidents concerning cars with lithium-ion batteries and reports of electric cars catching fire during shipping.
Yes, it does cost more to ship an electric car. Because of the fragile elements and lithium-ion batteries, extra care is needed when shipping an electric vehicle. However, if you are willing to pay more for your shipment, you should be able to find a reputable company that can provide an affordable service.
Tempus Logix is among the best auto shipping companies around the U.S. It has a long history of transporting cars safely. Get with the customer service agents and tell them precisely about your car’s type and shipping conditions.
According to the instructions issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations, Lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous because they cause electrical and chemical accidents.
These regulations apply to all lithium batteries, including those in electric vehicles. The EPA-approved labeling system ensures that shippers know how to pack their shipments for transport properly.
It is safe to have your car transported to a new location. While accidents can happen, they are very rare, and with the right precautions, you can trust that your vehicle will be safe and sound.
Electric vehicles do not require insurance adjustments, and insurance requirements for shipping electric vehicles are the same as those for shipping standard cars. However, you must check with your insurer or auto transport service provider to confirm this.
E.V. batteries must have a minimum state of charge (SOC), so if the battery is fully discharged, it may not be capable of providing needed power to start the vehicle again. The minimum SOC that a battery can be at before shipping is typically 50%.
Here are a few things before you should do your electric car get shipped.
If you have more questions about the process of relocating your electric cars, contact your transport company, Tempus Logix offers helpful customer support, who are ready to answer all your questions and help through the whole process.
Whether you’re considering relocating or buying a new electric car, don’t be afraid of auto transportation. Once you find the right company and follow the transport instructions, you should be able to go through the process smoothly.
For more information, please visit Double three-wheeler.