EV Popularity Drops, More Singaporeans Eye Petrol Cars

Singapore’s love affair with electric vehicles appears to be cooling slightly, with more drivers looking back at petrol-powered cars, at least for now. 

A new EY study shows that 32% of Singapore respondents plan to buy an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in the next two years, up from 26% in 2024.

The shift is largely driven by practical concerns. According to EY’s 2025 Mobility Consumer Index, worries about charging availability, public charger reliability and the long-term cost of battery replacements are causing some buyers to hesitate, even as EVs remain firmly in the spotlight.

This rethink mirrors a broader global trend. Around half of respondents worldwide now say they are likely to buy an ICE vehicle, a sharp increase from 37% last year. 

The pullback comes as governments adjust EV incentives, emissions targets evolve, and carmakers rebalance their product strategies by doubling down on hybrids and efficient petrol models.

Still, Singapore remains ahead of most markets when it comes to electrification. 58% of local buyers are still considering an EV in the next two years, even though that figure has dropped from 73% in 2024. 

EVs made up 43% of new car registrations in the first nine months of 2025, continuing a steady rise from previous years.

Confidence, however, is clearly more fragile. EY’s survey of 300 Singapore car buyers found that more than half cited concerns over public charging quality and interoperability, while over 40% were uneasy about battery replacement costs. 

Range anxiety remains a major talking point, despite government efforts to expand charging infrastructure across the island.

Even so, EV momentum has not disappeared. Chinese brand BYD overtook Toyota to become Singapore’s top-selling car brand in May 2025 and grew its market share to nearly 20% in the first nine months of the year.

Interestingly, BYD also introduced a petrol-powered model in July, underlining how manufacturers are hedging their bets amid shifting consumer sentiment.

Over in Malaysia, the situation feels more optimistic, at least on the surface. More drivers are warming up to EVs, especially as prices come down and locally developed models like Proton eMAS and the Perodua QV-E enter the picture. 

These cars make EV ownership feel less like a premium lifestyle choice and more like a realistic option for everyday buyers.

That said, Malaysia still has a long road ahead. EVs aren’t about to overtake ICE cars anytime soon, and infrastructure remains the biggest pain point. 

Range anxiety is still very real, mainly because charging stations aren’t nearly as easy to find or use as petrol pumps. If the government truly wants to change the auto landscape, charging access and reliability will need serious attention, not just announcements.

Back in Singapore, EV buyers are also showing a preference for physical dealerships over online purchases, seeking face-to-face explanations about charging, battery lifespan and new technology. 

The same cautious mindset extends to advanced features, with interest in connected safety systems remaining high but comfort with autonomous driving still low due to safety and reliability concerns.

Source: The BusinessTimes.