In a historic shift, electric vehicles (EVs) constituted 57.6% of new vehicle registrations in the first quarter of this year in Singapore. This marks the first time EVs have outpaced both combustion engine and hybrid models in new registrations. The proportion of EVs has seen a significant increase, rising from 45% the previous year. Specifically, about 7,700 new electric vehicles were registered out of a total of 13,300 units.
BYD, the automotive giant from China, led the pack with 3,239 registrations, accounting for 24% of the total new vehicles. The company expanded its market share from 21% at the end of 2025. Furthermore, three other Chinese brands—Chery, GAC, and MG—made their debut in the top ten best-selling car brands in Singapore. These new entrants replaced Hyundai, Kia, and Mazda, which held the seventh, eighth, and ninth spots, respectively, in 2025.
Despite a relatively modest EV lineup, Toyota managed to secure second place with 1,932 registrations, holding a 14.5% market share in the first quarter of 2026, a slight increase from the previous year. Tesla, the US-based EV manufacturer, secured 11.4% of the market with 1,515 registrations. This performance propelled Tesla to the third spot among best-selling brands in Singapore, up from sixth place in 2025.
Current incentives in Singapore, designed to reduce the cost of owning an EV, offer buyers rebates of up to $30,000 on upfront vehicle taxes. In contrast, non-electric vehicles may face penalties of up to $35,000, depending on their emissions.
However, Walter Theseira, a transport economist at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, pointed out that while EV adoption is gaining momentum, it is still a challenge for all new car registrations to be fully electric—particularly for high-mileage drivers, for whom hybrid models may be more suitable.
Automotive consultant Say Kwee Neng observed a fundamental shift in the dynamics of the car industry, which began with the rise in EV adoption in 2024 and 2025. According to Hal Serudin, a partner at automotive consultancy Lumina 3 Sixty, the increase in sales of Chinese and EV brands is in line with trends observed in other regional markets such as Malaysia and Thailand; these brands have disrupted both mass-market and luxury segments.
What proportion of new car registrations in Singapore were electric vehicles in the first quarter of this year?
Approximately 57.6% of new car registrations were electric vehicles.
Which Chinese automotive brands are among the top ten best-selling car brands in Singapore?
BYD, Chery, GAC, and MG are among the top ten best-selling car brands in Singapore.
What incentives are currently offered in Singapore to promote EV adoption?
Currently, Singapore offers rebates of up to $30,000 on upfront vehicle taxes for electric vehicle buyers.
