8 reasons why you should buy an electric car in 2021

The number of electric car models increases every year in Singapore, and it's no surprise why.

If you're thinking of buying a new vehicle, here are eight solid reasons why you should consider an electric car for your next car:

• Cheap and easy to recharge
• Ease of maintenance
• Increase in variety
• Electrifying performance
• Quieter engine
• Environmentally friendly
• No more range anxiety
• Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive

Cheap and easy to recharge

Due to the higher price of electric cars (compared to petrol cars), the overall difference in running costs between an electric car and a petrol car isn't that significant. However, electric cars provide more than 50% cost-savings (per kilometre) compared to petrol cars!

Don't believe me? I did the math for the Seltos and Niro EV, even though I hate math:

Avg Fuel cost = $1.967
Avg Energy cost = $0.2293
Avg Distance per year = 17500km

Car	Seltos	Niro EV
Rate of consumption	6.28L/100km	14.7kWh/100km
Cost	$1.967/L	$0.22393/kWh
Cost (Monthly)	$180.41	$49.16
Cost (Yearly)	$2164.92	$598.94
Cost (10 years)	$21649.20	$5899.43
Savings		$15749.77

So effectively, if your electricity source is chargeable by the energy tariff rate, you can save up to $15749.77.

Plus, as part of the government's plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, there will be 28,000 electrical charging points by 2030. Recharging at a nearer electrical charging station will eventually be more convenient than driving to the petrol station.
 
 
Ease of maintenance

Thanks to technological advancements, electric cars now have significantly less complicated components. Unlike petrol cars, they don't need an internal combustion engine, radiators, fuel injection systems and exhaust systems.

You can save time and money because you don't have to send your electric car for frequent maintenance and repairs at electric and hybrid car certified workshops.
 
 
Increase in variety

Many manufacturers are hopping onto the electric car bandwagon. Which is great news for us consumers as that means there will be more options. For example - consumers can expect to see Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 3 in Hyundai's electric car range in the next few years.

There's already a decent range of electric cars available in Singapore - Renault Zoe, Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf, Jaguar I-PACE, Audi e-Tron, Tesla cars and many more.
 
 
Electrifying performance

Torque and power in traditional internal combustion engines are limited by the specific range of engine speed (RPM). However, electric motors produce instant torque from a standstill with a more effective range of power, making them perfect for Singapore's start-stop roads.

Electric motors are also known for their superb performance applications. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed event, the Volkswagen ID.R electric race car broke the previous record set by a Mclaren-Mercedes MP4/13 F1 car back in 1999.
 
 
Quieter engine

With electric motors, you don't have a noisy internal combustion engine rumbling with thousands of explosions happening per minute. Instead, you'll only hear a muted whine from electric car motors.

Throw in some decent soundproofing, and you probably won't hear a single thing! Having an electric car that operates silently makes driving a more relaxing experience.
 
 
Environmentally friendly

Electric cars reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by relying on renewable and cleaner energy sources. This also reduces exhaust emissions and improves the air quality in Singapore's heavy traffic roads.
 
 
No more range anxiety

Range anxiety was the biggest turn-off for car buyers, but now electric cars can travel up to 300km and more, with more electric car charging stations islandwide.

Once your electric car runs out of juice, you don't need to wait long for a recharge. The Kia Niro EV charges up to 80% in just 54 minutes (like a mobile phone) with a 100kW fast charger.

Don't like the idea of a recharging time? Find out if hybrid cars are the better choice for you.
 
 
Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive

Under the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and the enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES), drivers switching to electric cars under bands A1 and A2 can enjoy combined cost-savings of up to $45,000!

New to car ownership? Find out how VES affects you as a car buyer.

The sooner you make the switch to an electric car, the more substantial savings you'll enjoy. Don't wait till it's 2040 – it'll be too late to make a profit out of your redundant petrol car.

Check out the full range of electric vehicles on sgCarMart
 
Here are some electric car articles that might interest you

Electric car rebates - Tax incentives to boost ownership

6 of the best electric & hybrid certified workshops in Singapore

Should you buy an electric car in Singapore right now?

VES - How does it affect you as an electric car buyer?

Thinking of buying a car? Which type of car suits you?

*This article was updated by Alexandra Cheung on 6/1/2021