Why Singapore’s private-hire drivers remain reluctant to switch to EVs

By the end of 2025, EVs accounted for 7.4 % of Singapore’s total car population, reaching 49,262 units, nearly double the 4% share recorded in 2024. Last year alone, a record 23,684 EVs were registered, making up 45% of all new car sales, up from 34% in 2024.

Chinese automaker BYD emerged as Singapore’s top-selling car brand in 2025, accounting for more than one-fifth of all new car sales, according to The Straits Times.

Yet adoption among private-hire drivers has lagged behind broader market trends. EVs account for just 3.1%, or 1,932 vehicles, of Singapore’s private-hire fleet, based on data from the Land Transport Authority.

Chia, 60, who currently drives a hybrid, told Channel News Asia that he would not consider switching to an EV, as charging, even with fast chargers, can take up to an hour, which he described as "wasted" time. "If I don’t need to charge so long, and there are more places that can charge quickly, maybe I’ll consider it," he said.

Chiam Soon Chian, chief operating officer of private-hire vehicle rental firm Lumens Group, said each hour spent charging could otherwise allow drivers to complete one-and-a-half to two trips, earning between S$30 and S$40 (US$23–$31).

Vehicles on a street in Singapore. Photo by Pexels

Charging costs also remain a concern. Most private-hire drivers rely on public chargers in Housing and Development Board estates or car parks, which are generally more expensive than home charging, said Kenneth Lee, honorary treasurer of the Vehicle Rental Association.

Ng Chee Haw, general manager at rental firm Bolt Car Leasing, added that many drivers are older and may find EVs more complex to operate.

Augustine Lai, 62, a full-time private-hire driver, said he charges his hybrid at an HDB charging facility near his block, where only six EV charging points serve the estate. He described the inconvenience of having to leave home to disconnect the vehicle after several hours of charging. "I’ll have to charge maybe three or four hours, and then I have to come down to disconnect it, and I’m already very tired," he said, adding that he still relies on refueling with petrol daily.

Industry players say further measures are needed to make EVs practical for high-usage drivers, including battery-swapping technology and a broader charging network offering both standard and fast charging options.

Singapore’s government has rolled out some of the most aggressive EV incentives in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent study released by global automotive distributor Inchcape. The city-state’s charging infrastructure is also more developed than in other major Southeast Asian markets, according to The Business Times. Beyond infrastructure, drivers are encouraged to adopt "opportunistic charging," aligning fast-charging sessions of around 30 minutes with meal breaks or rest periods to minimize disruptions.

Despite drivers’ hesitation, private-hire platforms say they remain committed to electrification. Grab said utilization rates for EVs under its rental arm, GrabRental, remain "consistently high". A spokesperson for Gojek said EV adoption among its drivers is "gaining momentum," though no figures were disclosed.

Roy Lee, 45, who recently switched to an EV, said careful planning has made the transition smooth. He said he drives about 300 kilometers a day and typically needs no more than one or two charging breaks of some 30 minutes each.

Lee acknowledged that conditions have improved markedly since his first experience with EVs between 2018 and 2020, when limited infrastructure made daily use far more difficult. "Perhaps as the number of EVs increases in years to come, having even more fast chargers will be a plus point," he said.