Electric vehicles that produce up to 110kW will be given Cat A COEs from May onwards. Here’s a list of which EVs will make the move

SINGAPORE

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has just announced that electric vehicles (EVs) that produce up to 110kW (around 148hp) will be given Cat A Certificates of Entitlement (COEs), starting from the first bidding exercise in May. This ups the threshold from 97kW (130hp) previously, although the criteria for non-electric cars will remain unchanged.

All the details about the latest rule change for EVs and Cat A COEs right here

Transport Minister S. Iswaran said that the move is intended to increase the number of EV choices for buyers in the Cat A segment, and with the differential in pricing between Cat A and Cat B now standing at around 30 grand, expect to see a significant reduction in prices of some EVs once the measure kicks in. We take a look at which EVs will be making the move to Cat A in May.

Kia Niro EV (Short Range)

Current retail price (March 2022): S$184,999 with COE
Power: 100kW/134hp

Kia sells the Niro in two flavours, and it is the Short Range version that will benefit from move to Cat A. It produces 100kW/134hp from its 39.2kWh battery pack, giving it a range of just under 300km. The Long Range version however will remain in Cat B as it produces 150kW/201hp.

At the moment the price difference between the two is a mere 10 grand, but come May, expect the Niro EV Short Range’s price to drop to around S$150k or so.

MG ZS EV

Current retail price (March 2022): S$182,478 with COE (estimated)
Power: 105kW/141hp

MG lists the price of its ZS electric SUV as S$88,888 without COE, so an extrapolation of the car’s on-the-road price when tacked on with the current Cat B COE premium of S$93,590 would put it at slightly over S$180k. 

With current Cat A premiums standing at S$63,000, the MG ZS EV would retail for S$151,888 with COE once it makes the move over in May, assuming Cat A prices don’t rise too significantly by that time.

Nissan Leaf

Current retail price (March 2022): S$179,800 with COE
Power: 110kW/148hp

The Nissan Leaf just about makes the cut for the transition to Cat A, as its power output sits exactly on the 110kW/148hp threshold cutoff point. Nissan’s EV hatchback has been a relatively slow seller in Singapore thus far, and the move should improve its prospects a little.

Its currently retail price of nearly S$180k with COE is a notable stumbling block, given that it is a car that’s no bigger than, say, a Mazda 3. With a Cat A COE now available, the price of the Leaf should drop to around $150k or so, making it slightly more competitive in the market.

Hyundai Kona EV (Short Range)

Current retail price (March 2022): S$173,888 with COE
Power: 100kW/134hp

Like the Kia Niro, Hyundai offers its Kona EV with a choice of Short Range and Long Range flavours. They essentially share the same drivetrain too, so the Kona EV Short Range produces the same 100kW/134hp power figures as its Niro cousin.

The Kona EV currently retails for S$173,888 inclusive of COE, and that is expected to drop to around $140k once it makes the move to Cat A in May, undercutting its Niro cousin. Interestingly, the Kona EV Long Range is more expensive than its Kia Niro equivalent by around 10 grand.

Hyundai Ioniq EV

Current retail price (March 2022): S$172,888 with COE
Power: 100kW/134hp

Hyundai’s other EV, the Ioniq, will also make the move to Cat A come May. There’s only one drivetrain available, and it produces 100kW/134hp from its 38.3kWh battery pack.

Its pricing is similar to its Kona sibling, at S$172,888 inclusive of Cat B COE, and that is expected to drop to around S$140k when it makes the transition to Cat A. That will put it closer in pricing to its Ioniq’s hybrid-powered equivalent, which currently goes for S$127,999 with a Cat A COE.

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