By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
Buying an electric car in Singapore in 2026 comes with two rebates off the Additional Registration Fee (ARF). The Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) gives Band A cars, now only fully electric ones, a rebate of S$22,500 in 2026. The EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) adds 45% off the ARF, capped at S$7,500, for electric cars registered in 2026, and ends on 1 January 2027. Together that is up to S$30,000 this year, falling to up to S$20,000 in 2027. Public charging costs about S$0.65 to S$0.70 per kWh on AC chargers and S$0.75 to S$0.89 on DC fast chargers. Road tax for an EV is based on motor power in kW, plus an Additional Flat Component of S$700 a year.
If you are weighing an EV, timing matters this year. Here is what the rebates, the plug and the road tax really add up to.
Quick facts
- VES Band A rebate: S$22,500 for cars registered in 2026, S$20,000 in 2027; only EVs receive VES rebates from 2026.
- EEAI: 45% off the ARF, capped at S$7,500, for electric cars registered in 2026; it ceases from 1 January 2027.
- Hybrids no longer get VES rebates from 2026.
- Combined savings: up to S$30,000 in 2026 and S$20,000 in 2027.
- Road tax for EVs: based on maximum power output, plus a S$700 annual Additional Flat Component.
- For COE Category A, an electric car’s power limit is 110kW (raised from 97kW).
How much can the rebates save you?
| Scheme | Registered in 2026 | Registered in 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| VES Band A (electric cars) | S$22,500 rebate | S$20,000 rebate |
| EEAI | 45% of ARF, capped at S$7,500 | Ended |
| Maximum combined | Up to S$30,000 | Up to S$20,000 |
Both rebates come off the ARF, so the actual saving can never be more than the ARF your car attracts. For a car that will be registered around the turn of the year, the registration date, not the order date, decides which year’s rebate applies. Ask the dealer to confirm the registration date in writing.
What does charging cost?
| Charger type (September 2026 survey) | Typical price per kWh | Use |
|---|---|---|
| AC (slower, often in HDB and mall car parks) | About S$0.65 to S$0.70 | Overnight or long stays; seven to ten hours for a full charge |
| DC fast chargers | About S$0.75 to S$0.89 | Quick top-ups |
| Idle fees after charging ends | S$0.50 a minute at some operators’ sites | Move the car when it is done |
Worked example (illustrative): you drive 15,000 km a year in a car that uses 15 kWh per 100 km. That is 150 × 15 = 2,250 kWh. At S$0.70 per kWh on AC chargers, a year of charging costs S$1,575, before any parking charges at the charger. Check your own car’s consumption figure and your charger’s tariff.
How is road tax worked out for an EV?
A petrol car’s road tax depends on engine capacity; an electric car’s depends on its maximum power output in kW, using the combined rating of all motors for a dual-motor car. On top sits a flat S$700 a year Additional Flat Component that applies only to EVs. LTA reduced road tax for electric cars in the 90 to 230kW range from 1 January 2022. Our road tax explainer has the formula; LTA’s OneMotoring calculator gives the exact figure for a model.
The WahLiao Verdict
If you are already set on an electric car, registering it in 2026 rather than 2027 can be worth up to S$10,000 more in rebates, so ask your dealer now about delivery and registration dates. Before you buy, check where you will charge: a reliable AC charger near home matters more than a fast one across the island. Budget the S$700 flat road tax component, and compare total cost over ten years, not the sticker price alone.
Questions people ask
Do hybrids still get a rebate?
No. From 2026, only fully electric cars receive VES rebates; hybrids no longer qualify.
Will there be an EEAI in 2027?
No. LTA says the EEAI ceases from 1 January 2027. The VES rebate continues, at S$20,000 for Band A cars registered in 2027.
Is an EV’s road tax higher than a petrol car’s?
It depends on the car. EV road tax rises with motor power and always includes the S$700 flat component, so compare the exact figures for the two models on LTA’s OneMotoring calculator before you decide.
Can I charge at my HDB car park?
Many HDB car parks now have chargers run by operators through their apps. Check the location and the per-kWh rate before you rely on one.
Sources: LTA, EEAI, VES and EV road tax; NEA, extension of the VES and EEAI; Motorist, 2026 charging rates; Motorist, road tax guide and the Additional Flat Component. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Road Tax in Singapore: How It’s Calculated · PARF and COE Rebates · Parking Charges in Singapore · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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