What to Ask When Buying an EV in Singapore

The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is rising quickly in Singapore, partly driven by the government’s aim to achieve 100% cleaner-energy vehicles by 2040. At the same time, more individuals and businesses are choosing EVs for their sustainability, lower operating costs, and long-term benefits.

However, while the shift to electric is exciting, buying an EV in Singapore isn’t something to approach without preparation. It’s important to know what to ask when buying an EV. For instance, you can ask about its total driving range, battery capacity, cargo space, charging options, and more.

These questions can guide you toward an EV that not only suits your everyday commercial transport needs but also makes the switch to electric driving smooth and worthwhile.

10 Questions to Ask About Electric Cars

To help you get started, consider these key questions so you’ll know what to expect before you buy the EV and make an investment that truly fits your business needs.

Question #1: Can the EV’s Driving Range Support Your Daily Operations Efficiently?

One of the first things to ask when buying an EV is how much distance it can cover on a full charge. This is especially important for businesses in Singapore that rely on vehicles for frequent deliveries or regular transport runs.

When the total range matches your typical transport needs, it makes daily driving and delivery operations more efficient while helping drivers avoid range anxiety altogether.

Question #2: What Is the Vehicle’s Payload Capacity and Cargo Space?

Payload capacity and cargo space directly affect how much your business can transport per trip. Understanding these specs helps ensure the vehicle meets your delivery or logistics requirements.

For instance, if your operations involve carrying heavy items like machinery parts, food supplies, or construction materials, you’ll need a vehicle with enough payload capacity to handle the load while maintaining good range and performance.

Cargo space also matters. If your deliveries include bulky boxes, stacked goods, or equipment, you’ll want a layout that allows for easy loading, unloading, and efficient use of space.

Question #3: What are the Potential Cost Savings of the Commercial EV?

Price is only one part of the equation when choosing an EV. To make a smarter decision, it’s important to look beyond the upfront cost and assess how it can reduce your day-to-day operating expenses.

Ask about the average cost per charge, driving range, maintenance intervals, and battery lifespan. Gaining a clear picture of these savings helps you manage operational budgets more effectively and identify which EV models offer the best efficiency for your business.

Question 4: What Is the Expected Return on Investment (ROI)?

Evaluating ROI goes beyond comparing purchase prices and cost savings. It’s also about understanding how the investment will benefit your business over time.

When calculating ROI, consider how the EV contributes to long-term value, from lower total cost of ownership and improved operational efficiency to higher vehicle utilization rates.

You can also factor in indirect benefits, such as improved fleet efficiency, lower carbon taxes, and a stronger brand reputation from adopting sustainable transport. These benefits can enhance your company’s image, attract more customers, and ultimately drive higher sales over time.

Question #5: How Accessible are Charging Points for Your Delivery Routes?

Charging accessibility plays a significant role in how convenient owning an EV will be in the long run. Ask or do research on the availability of charging points near your depots, key delivery routes, and customer locations to ensure they can support your daily transport needs.

Having reliable charging points nearby reduces idle time, helps drivers stay on schedule, and keeps your fleet moving throughout the day. With Singapore actively rolling out thousands of charging points across the island, access will only become more convenient over time, making EV adoption a practical and cost-effective move for commercial fleets.

Question #6: Is the EV’s Charging Speed Practical for Daily Operations?

Charging speed might not be the first thing you think about when buying an EV, but it can strongly influence how efficiently your commercial vehicles are used day to day. For example, if your delivery truck needs to head out for multiple delivery rounds in a single day, long charging hours could throw off schedules and affect productivity.

Choosing a model that can recharge quickly helps keep things moving, reduces unnecessary downtime, and ensures your vehicles spend more time on the road instead of waiting at a charging point.

Question #7: What is the Warranty on the Battery and Vehicle?

One of the most critical questions to ask about the electric vehicle is its warranty coverage. Buying an EV is a long-term commitment, and understanding the warranty gives you a clearer picture of what kind of support you’ll have throughout that time.

It can help you plan for potential repair costs, know how protected you are if issues arise, and feel more confident in the vehicle’s durability. Having clear details on the warranty also gives you deeper insight into the level of trust the manufacturer places in its quality.

Question #8: How Long Can the Battery Maintain Efficiency for Commercial Use?

For commercial fleets, battery lifespan isn’t just a technical detail; it directly impacts operational reliability and long-term costs.

Ask how many years or charge cycles the battery can last before its capacity starts to drop, especially if your vehicles run multiple shifts or cover long delivery routes daily. Knowing this helps you plan replacement timelines, estimate maintenance budgets, and avoid unexpected downtime.

Make sure to choose a model with a long battery lifespan to ensure reliable performance for years.

Question #9: What are the Vehicle’s Safety Features?

It’s always worth finding out what safety features an EV comes with, especially if it’ll be used for daily deliveries or transport operations. These features can play a big role in protecting drivers, preventing accidents, and reducing downtime from repairs.

Ask about systems like automated emergency braking, collision detection, lane-keeping assistance, and stability control. Many commercial EVs now come equipped with these technologies as standard, helping your team stay safe on the road while keeping business operations running smoothly.

Question #10: What Government Incentives are Available for the Electric Car?

Singapore has introduced several government incentives for electric cars to encourage cleaner and more sustainable transport. One of these is the EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI), which offers a 45% rebate on the Additional Registration Fee for new fully electric cars.

Businesses can also tap into the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme (CVES), which provides attractive rebates for low-emission commercial vehicles.

Before finalizing a purchase, ask about these available incentives so you can apply them directly to reduce upfront costs and make EV ownership more affordable.

Find Your Ideal Electric Vehicle with Hong Seh Motors

The questions we’ve shared above will help guide you in making a well-informed decision when choosing your electric vehicle. You can visit Hong Seh Motors’ showroom at 10 Fourth Lok Yang Rd, Singapore 629707 to explore your options.

We offer a wide range of high-quality personal electric cars and EV commercial vehicles in Singapore, designed to meet different driving and business needs. Our team will answer all your questions, walk you through the available models, and guide you in selecting the one that best fits your goals.

You can also schedule a test drive to get a real feel for the electric vehicle and ensure it’s the right fit for your daily use or business operations. Contact us today.