By the time when Singapore meet 70% ~ 80% of EV Cars, will there be arguments and quarrels about Snatching of charging points? During that period of time will charging be more expensive than petrol or diesel, also will the Government charge higher idling fee for Charging once EV Cars are fully charged?

Recalled you spoke about EV Cars comparison against ICE cars caught fire ratio. But why you  didn’t calculate the time consumed to distinguish the fire between both Cars?

Hi Colin, I agree with most things u said except for the resale part for EV. The main reason why EVs have poorer resale values is actually because of the pace of technology improvements. A 1-2 year EV would already be severely outdated with each new technology introduced to the new EVs and hence people would be more reluctant to buy a resale EV over a new EV unless the price for the old EV is sweet enough for them to consider older technology over newer ones. Or unless they price the newer EVs at a much higher sticker price than when the old EVs are at first launched to create a bigger price gap if not if the new BYD Seal with blade battery and other newer better tech is priced at $180k new than it will take a really low price to entice people to choose your outdated Seal over the new Seal

Thank you for the comprehensive breakdown of the prices. I have booked an EV and awaiting the COE bidding. I think as many EVs owners who have switched have said, it is a change in lifestyle.

Liked and subscribed because I bought a Seal 6 from the confidence you gave me. It’s been nothing but an absolute bliss for me owning this car!

This video, filmed in May 2026, serves as a practical, real-world analysis of whether switching to an Electric Vehicle (EV) makes financial sense compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars in Singapore. The creator uses his own experience with a BYD Seal to debunk common misconceptions regarding EV safety, charging, and long-term costs.

Key areas of comparison include:

• Initial Purchase Price (5:13 - 8:36): Contrary to popular belief, EVs in Singapore are often cheaper upfront than equivalent ICE vehicles due to government rebates.
• Fuel vs. Charging Costs (8:37 - 12:51): Charging an EV is significantly cheaper than refueling a petrol or diesel car. Even when using public DC fast chargers, the per-kilometer cost is roughly 2.5 times lower than that of the ICE cars compared in the video.
• Maintenance (12:52 - 19:20): EVs have fewer moving parts, reducing wear and tear. The creator highlights that battery replacement costs are declining and that common myths about battery safety and fires are largely outdated or inflated.
• Insurance & Road Tax (19:21 - 21:28): While acknowledging that EV insurance and road tax can be higher—a point of criticism for the creator—this expense is offset by savings in other areas.
• Depreciation & Resale Value (21:29 - 24:50): The video argues that with the government phasing out new ICE car sales by 2030, demand for ICE vehicles will likely decline, potentially making EVs a better long-term store of value.
• Convenience & Charging (24:51 - 30:47): The creator demonstrates that charging is convenient and efficient, often integrated into daily life (shopping or errands) rather than requiring dedicated time at a petrol station.

Conclusion (30:48 - 32:58):
For the majority of Singaporean drivers, the transition to an EV is financially beneficial in the long run. The creator concludes that with upcoming changes to rebates, now is an ideal time for owners of older ICE vehicles (with under 3 years of COE left) to consider switching to an electric vehicle.

EVs need a change in mentality in driving, especially when it comes to charging frequency. When the EV/ICE population ratios start exceeding 50% or more in HDB carparks, there will be a mad rush for charging stations. An issue that has not been addressed yet.

End of the day, it is a simple demand and supply issue. In Singapore, land is very scarce so whether is car or a property, prices will definitely goes up over time. Government also already mentioned annually there are more and more new PRs and new citizens, so that is simply demand going up...Each one of us has to decide for yourself based on individual circumstances how you want to lead your life.. Anyway, life is short and we can choose to live simply and still be happy. No need to compare with others as there will be no end at all. My 2 cents worth...

10:36 2017 Mazda 6 owner here, my fuel consumption after 153k km mileage is on average at about 6.4L/100km which is about 15.6km/L.

Though I do want to own an EV, but the lack of EV infrastructure in my estate is putting my EV purchase on hold. We have too many EV cars in my estate with very little charging station. 😅 And the tech changes so fast, it feels like I’m buying a mobile phone. Maybe that’s why it has rather poor resale value.

In terms of maintenance, the Mazda 6 is rather bulletproof, I have no major repairs other than wear and tear like my suspension and steering rack.

Coming back from the office is already very tiring. I still have to park my car at the charger station then wake up 2 hours later to move the car after it is fully charged. The next day I went out again early in the morning. This is why I revert back to ICE manual car 😅

Ultimately its down to whether the car is a need or want. If its a need, the car should be treated as an expense. The more you use, the more value derived. The later you defer the purchase, the bigger the opportunity cost. If its an expense, its down to affordability and personal comfort. No point getting a car that breaks your bank and you dont like. So you really look deeply inside for such a big commitment

Have been following your channel for a bit and enjoy your down to earth and fair comments. Very helpful in my own EV decision tourney.

I saw the latest dollars and sense articles highlighting the cheapest EVs. Saw quite a few GAC models there and wondering if you would be reviewing/commenting on them any time soon?

I changed from ICE to EV 2 months ago, only cost me $20 per week to charge, compared to $70+ per week on petrol, all in all save quite alot from there, and i would say that it does not disrupt me at all from doing anything, I no need to even go to petrol station, i just go to shopping mall and charge while doing my things, or charge overnight at a multi storey carpark (with no idle fee)

I own a small Toyota hybrid. I know definitely this still costs more to run, but i still opt out to drive a hybrid over a plug-in.
I don't know in Singapore, but we still have very limited charging stations; nearly nil at outback or  country towns. As a traveller,  it is not very comfortable to think that I may need to stay a day at a random motel only to access a power point for slow charging. Also not very happy to eat junk food at a service station because my car is plugged in there (otherwise,  there is nothing else to do). I prefer top up and go somewhere else I can find a proper restaurant. I only need to wait a few minutes even though there is a long  queue to wait. Good to compare $$, but personally I want to add value my time.

Hi Colin, great content and the numbers are solid, this makes a genuinely compelling case for the cost-conscious, practical commuter profile. Hard to argue with the case of EVs being value for money in terms of space/features and maybe fuel savings (For me the road tax just cancels that out so non-starter for me, similar case to full hybrids like the Lexus ES) if that's your main priority.

That said, I feel there's a few things the comparison doesn't fully capture. On the ICE car side, the Mazda 6 and C180 prices you used are online list prices.  Walk into the actual showroom and the opening price they quote you before you try to negotiate is meaningfully lower (I know because I walked in to enquire C180 numbers 2 weeks ago), which flatters the EV comparison more than it should. Of course I don't expect you to walk to a showroom and talk to the salespeople for every video but wanted to point out this nonetheless.

On resale value, I feel it's more about what a dealer will actually offer you on the street and go back to demand and supply for your car model. I'm 2 years into my Mazda 3 Hatchback and dealers are offering to buy it over (not trade-in) at only a ~10% loss, largely holding value on the back of COE prices. That's even before I account for the fact that the current market sentiment still favour ICE cars in the ~1-3 year old used car pool. The 2030 juncture, it could play out differently too. If many EV buyers are keen to sell their 4-5 year old EV then to trade to a new one, a flood of 5 year old EV supply will also cap resale value for EVs. Certain enthusiast ICE car models will still hold up their value regardless of EV adoption.

The insurance costs being nearly double right now - as EVs age and repair data matures, that gap could widen (Or narrow too, still too early to tell at this point).

I'll make the switch eventually, but for now I'm happy to enjoy ICE cars for another 10-15 years. The driving engagement, engine character, feedback through the wheel, EVs just aren't there yet for me on that front. The ones I've sat in (Tesla, BYD, MG) I still feel I'm sitting in an appliance more than a car that I'm used to, but I also recognise EVs are a good fit for most city driving and instant start stop. Instant torque can be fun too. Different strokes for different folks ultimately. Good content nonetheless, especially for the practical cost conscious buyer looking to make a switch.

Your videos are what finally pushed me to buy an EV after 20+ years of ICE manual cars.

I did my 1000km servicing last month and I'm starting to get used to all the rhythm of usage and charging. Almost 2000km after 2 months and I expect usage to increase as I'm planning a trip to KL in May.

For my purchase, my Solterra is a high power car so your insurance and road tax estimates are doubled. I can justify my purchase because it's a huge upgrade from my 2l manual Impreza. It's basically a baby Lexus RZ without all the luxury trim and simulated ICE engine noise & gear shifts.

I think most buyers will look at the Toyota FWD BZ4x or any of the many Chinese made EVs out there are showcased on your channel. We need budget options because COE is ridiculously high. Currently the BZ4x is more ex than the Solterra XT so we'll have to wait to see if Borneo Motors is willing to reduce price next month since the BZ4x is still a CAT B car but 100BHP lower than the Solterra.

Talking about charging, I'm lazy so I take advantage of SP Services no idle fee period from 11pm to 9am at HDB MSCP. My latest charge was from 12% to 80% (coz NMC battery) and I started charging at 6pm and unplugged at 8am. The EV finished charging at maybe 1am but I just left it there since charging has stopped and there's no idle fees.

I can see that 10% of the cars at my MSCP are EVs. There are 3x 3kW and 3x 7kW charging points so I hardly see the lots being taken up. That said, when the population goes up and lots are taken up, I'd probably adjust my charging pattern to share with fellow EV owners.

Nice comparison between EV vs ICE running costs.

But I would remain a petrolhead for these reasons:
1) I don’t not want my life to revolve around charging the EV and having to move it away from the charger once it finishes charging at public carparks. If I live in a Landed house then that’s ok. I can plug in the charger and forget about it till the next day. A car should work for me, not the other way around. I have already paid a lot of money for it and it should not inconvenience me.

2) The lack of 3rd party workshops for maintenance and repairs of EVs are a sore point if we have to just depend on the Authorised dealer workshop.

3) There are documented evidence that EVs are very costly to repair or may even be scrapped if it gets into a minor to moderate accident. ICE cars can usually be repaired at ANY workshop if the accident is not a major one resulting in total loss.

4) The infotainment system within an EV is likely a proprietary system that the manufacturer controls very tightly. If you upgrade with additional ICE (In-Car Entertainment) systems it will likely void the warranty. I cannot live without an upgraded ICE system as most cars only give you the basic system unless one purchases a premium model that comes with all the bells and whistles.

5) And finally the sound of an exhaust note of an ICE vehicle is irreplaceable. Yes I know it costs a lot of petrol dollars for that but well… YOLO!

Colin, this was a fantastic presentation of the benefits of going EV. You cover a lot of information that is good, not just for Singapore but, is the same for EVs all over.
I went EV after factoring the fuel and maintenance cost of my ICE and hybrid cars. The maintenance schedule for EVs mostly consists of checks, not actual service, until year 2 for brake fluid replacement. I was in the camp of not getting one until they sorted the battery fire issues. Research shows the battery fire incident rate was much less than ICE vehicles, that along with the my other concerns were laid to rest, giving me confidence to make the switch. As you said a lot the concerns are old news. Most of the EVs sold on this side of the world are using LFP batteries. Over the next few years, the range will increase significantly but, for South East Asia, the infrastructure growth isn’t as large yet, but growing. If there are incentives in place and one can afford to make the switch, go for it.

At the place I am staying,  petrol kiosk is very convenient. Short queue. However, there are no ev chargers in my car park. Though avaliable in a drive away shopping centres, I have to pay for the car park charges. Meaning I have to change my lifestyle of shopping/dining in shopping centre instead of HDB neighbourhood (aka cheaper food)
No doubt in future, more EV chargers will be available in my area.

Very informative! Thanks for sharing!