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EV VS ICE long term cost

Bright_Ad_7763 | 2026-03-18 06:39 | 13 views

Hi guys, thinking of either getting the Byd seal 6 or an Altis. But looking at the ev insurance and road tax is kind of insane compared to ICE car. Just wondering will the difference between tax and insurance even out in the long run? Considering seal 6 is cheaper than altis by quite abit and electric charging plus maintenance for seal is also lower

Comments (40)
danielling1981 2026-03-18 06:45

In sg doesn't really save a lot unless you drive more and charge at home. Last time more free charging so better savings.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:09

I see, I've calculated the rough amount I save from fuel for me is around 1k. But not sure about the insurance part and maintenance. Because from what I know is that insurance becomes cheaper annually so eventually the differences should reduce in the long run? How about maintenance, is it way cheaper to own ev since only need to maintain brakes and tires?

danielling1981 2026-03-18 07:11

1 k over how long? If 1 year then that may not even cover the extra in road tax. Insurance becomes cheaper is true for ICE as well. Maintenance for regular is cheaper yes. However ICE is not expensive by a lot unless major fault. Have to compare apple to apple.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:18

Hmmm sorry 1k annually. But from what I know the insurance discount is by percentage? So by absolute numbers, the differences between the insurance should reduce by abit? Btw able to share the rough cost for regular maintenance of ICE car? Psps new to this and I see alot of different packages for car maintenance until I'm confused of the real cost

danielling1981 2026-03-18 07:25

What you describe is possible. So maybe only many years later then the ev charging savings win over ICE based on normal use. Thus it's not that great a savings. I service every 6 months for my bmw 1. Foc under package which cost 2.3 k for 5 years and 2 times a year. That's just 230 / service. And I do get foc battery replacements under warranty too. Crazy. Every car, brand and owner is not the same. This car cheaper than my previous mazda even.

Positive_Ad249 2026-03-18 07:26

Get a Camry instead of Altis. Also get a hybrid version to save petrol. The battery is very reliable technology used in Prius for 20 years.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:34

I see, that's worth it. So guess it comes down to which car do you like more compared to which cost more😅

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:35

Lols camry is out of my budget.

AuroByte 2026-03-18 07:36

What’s your yearly mileage?

danielling1981 2026-03-18 07:38

In sg buying car is always what you like and can afford. If you want to squeeze the operating cost, don't buy car in the first place.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:46

Probably 10k - 15k

BoredCow555 2026-03-18 07:55

For price of Altis I’d go for Mazda 3 mild hybrid comparison to Seal instead. Cheaper plus not as ugly and PHV-looking as the stupid overpriced Altis lol. FC decent also. Toyota cars are horrendously overpriced. I’d avoid entirely.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 07:55

Hmmm cause went to see both car, really like both the cars. And since EV tech have more or less matured, I don't mind giving it a go. So for the final consideration it comes down to the operating cost.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 08:02

Oh, I mean seal 6. It's only 160k

Ficklip 2026-03-18 08:07

>Toyota cars are horrendously overpriced **finally someone speaks the truth!**

danielling1981 2026-03-18 08:19

Not really much to consider from operating cost. Does where you stay and work and frequent have Chargers available is more important. And if you will drive north often enough. And most most most important. If you or your passenger can accept the push back feeling. I hate it as a passenger. Not sure as a driver.

BoredCow555 2026-03-18 08:33

Yes, and I’m saying the Altis is a horrid ICE comparison. Compare the Mazda 3 to the Seal, cheaper and much better quality across the board both used/new than the Altis.

BoredCow555 2026-03-18 08:35

Ya. I’ve tried out the Altis before, the cheap and dated plastic interior is rly a turnoff for the price. And the drive quality is so mediocre.

p0rapipam 2026-03-18 08:47

Previously when driving ICE I was spending $106 a week on petrol, $5512 a year. Per tank I could go about 420ish km before I topped up at about 10% remaining in the tank. Insurance was about 900 a year and road tax 600ish cause 1.5L turbo ICE. Currently driving a CAT B EV and a full charge only costs me $24 for a full 5-100% charge at avg 84kwh (if you’re using public charging it should be around $45-$60 depending on which provider you charge at and the discounts you get.) so far about 10 mths in I’d say I spent around $900. Insurance however is higher at 1.3k and road tax 2.3k a year. This EV gets me on avg 430-50km of range before it hits <10% SOC. My mileage is around 22-4k a year so higher than avg. If you factor in less maintenance costs on the EV(most ADs give 10 years free servicing) compared to the ICE(5 years free servicing for most) I’d estimate around $5-600 in savings a year granted nth to really change on the EV whereas on the ICE I had to change this and that. But do note getting a EV the biggest consideration should be how easy do you have access to chargers like at your workplace/home. If not it’s gonna be a headache to charge it as you plan your routine around charging.

parkson89 2026-03-18 09:12

I have so many questions for people below 40 and considering an Altis lol, there are so many nicer cars out there and they are cheaper!!

parkson89 2026-03-18 09:13

No one buys Camry in SG, look at price, so many better options.

Ficklip 2026-03-18 09:15

before EVs came about... Altis was one of the more spacious cars in Cat A haha

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 09:29

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Just what i needed for my consideration. I think I'm siding more to byd. Thank you!

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-18 09:32

Ah my place have charger readily available i don't see much ev yet. So i guess should be OK. I think after reading the replies from others It have made my choice quite clear thank you!

carbonfaber 2026-03-18 09:37

I'm in this annual mileage range and my fuel savings is about $3k. So that makes about $30k over 10 years (more, if you take petrol price increase over the years into account). Whether the additional road tax and insurance for your particular case makes it worth it is up to you. But I do want to say that insurance for EVs can be sourced at cheaper rates if you shop around.

Linxianwei 2026-03-18 09:39

Do you have a home charger? It's rather painful to drive EV without charging at home because you need to plan your weekend around it and it's typically more expensive outside for DC chargers In general expect to pay double for insurance and road tax so you would need >$1.5k savings from your running costs

amerpsy8888 2026-03-18 09:58

I got a coe car. Calculated, no matter how cheap charging is compared to petrol, even if I factor in 3k a year for repair, it is still 30% cheaper at least compared to a mid tier byd.

Positive_Ad249 2026-03-18 10:53

Buying brand new or used Altis? PARF Camry is expensive but it has a better resale value than any EVs. Problem with used Altis is so many are used PHV, do you know how to check for odometer tampering? Plus cheap road tax and easy to maintain. At the end of the day, we all want a car that gives you the best bang for your buck. Look at the car condition and depre and mileage and decide what's best for you.

Boring-Yard-8787 2026-03-18 11:28

"Reliability" for me to buy Altis as under 40 years old

emo3lmo 2026-03-18 13:40

No savings actually And higher risk of battery failure due to accident etc and it will be a blame game over who pays for the replacement when insurance kicks the problem away Resale value for EV also bad due to warranty transfer issue etc.. not enough data to show the AD will honour warranty when the car is sold to 2nd owner onwards Even for ICE most AD will not allow transfer of warranty unless they continue servicing the vehicle at the AD’s workshop Just buy the car you like and enjoy.. no point stressing over how much savings etc Owning a car in sg is a luxury, the govt will always have their means to make you pay for it one way or another

Darth-Udder 2026-03-18 14:18

Never too wrong with a hybrid ice

ionicle88 2026-03-18 17:40

I drive a 2021 EV for 4+ years Here's the take. Generally you'll be saving only about 10-20% on charging vs 95 (prior to Trump) on a Toyota hybrid. Even if I were to compare it to a 1993 Miata, the difference then stretches to beyond 50%. So now you factor in the extra $700 on road tax which you'll pay yearly simply because some scholar thinks "oh EV won't buy taxed oil so I'm losing revenue, so here comes a new fee under road tax". You do the math for your mileage. Insurance is subjective. It's all about risk factor based on historical figures for that car you drive. Don't care EV or not. Inconveniences is personal. Some people plan their routes, some love to drive without looking at their fuel gauges and panic but guess what SG is so well developed there chargers and petrol kiosks everywhere. Now take that with a huge grain of salt. Yes they are both everywhere but do you get the same price per L and per kWh everywhere? Oh I can assure you there's absolutely no problem planning a road trip even into Thailand. You just need to plan for contingencies. Could be fun.

Brilliant_Eagle3038 2026-03-19 00:38

If the ev insurance and ev road tax is insane for u, u shouldn’t be looking at buying any cars.

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-19 02:04

Hmmm. I'm more inclined to get a parf car at least if going for used car. But thanks for the tip!

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-19 02:05

Yepp that's what I thought after replies from everyone.

AyescreamShop 2026-03-19 07:19

Please not an Altis, its outrageously overpriced these days, at least in SG context. Just because it carries the "reliability" branding that was built over the years. It lacks modern features, very plastic-ish interior.

saoupla 2026-03-19 09:52

Why is insurance more expensive?

CutFabulous1178 2026-03-19 10:27

It depends on what you want to do with the car EV benefits if u have access to charging infrastructure and do driving in SG ICE Benefits if u access Msia regularly $3rm m/L before the crazy war is Sweeeeet

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-19 11:53

Most probably new tech, insurance company don't want to risk

Bright_Ad_7763 2026-03-19 11:55

Hmmm mostly a to b commute with bi weekly grocery run at jb. Now still using bike but I think age is catching up hahaha. Any ride beyond 30 mins my back will feel like it's breaking apart

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