The latest electric vehicles boast full features and won’t break the bank.

The market for electric vehicles is gathering steam as more and more brands come into the market. While the initial wave of EVs have been priced at a premium given tax structures and target markets, there are clear signs that the increase in options means that there will be more affordable models here before long.

Well, the future is now, and already Singapore is seeing a good range of EV alternatives that give entry-level buyers a chance to go green on the road. As 2025 shapes up to be an inflexion point for car owners considering and making the switch, several new brands of electric vehicles have entered the fray, much to the delight of those not wanting to pay a fortune for a car that takes them from A to B.

Here are three latest models to whet your appetites.

BYD DOLPHIN

There is more than the seemingly ubiquitous ATTO 3 in BYD’s lineup of EVs. The all-new BYD Dolphin offers a different take with an orientation that should suit small families. But look a little further and you’ll find a cutting-edge electric vehicle represents a remarkable milestone in the realm of green technology, delivering excellent range, an immersive user experience, an abundance of safety features and easy handling of driving.

This entry-level electric hatchback is just the thing for Singapore roads. Power comes by way of BYD’s industry-leading and ultra-safe blade battery and revolutionary e-Platform 3.0 that gives a remarkable range of 340 kilometres (WLTP). Plus, the car is quick to charge, letting you get from 30 to 80 per cent in just 29 minutes with 100kW maximum DC charging. BYD DOLPHIN provides V2L technology, which can achieve 3.3kW external discharge. This allows the new energy vehicle to become a mobile power station, perfect for outdoor picnics and open-air movies.

BYD is quickly shrugging off the reputation Chinese EVs have of being batteries on wheels. The refinements keep improving, and the Dolphin is the beneficiary of this fast evolution. Off the bat, the car is a beauty to behold. The hatchback design is a popular one in Singapore, given its practicality and easy access to the trunk. The sidelines are sleek and unfussy, and the front grille is a good blend of sportiness and sophistication. The continuous LED headlight running across the centre grille is a premium feature, while the dynamic taillight design is customary avant-garde and gaining traction as a BYD hallmark.

The BYD Intelligent System includes innovative features like smart voice assistance, 360-degree cameras, Apple CarPlay (wired), in-built navigation, and a large 12.8-inch display. Comfort and safety come to the fore with ventilated seats made from vegan leather coming as standard, and driving safety features like Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and six airbags to provide peace of mind while protecting occupants in various driving conditions. In addition, the Dolphin offers four driving modes – Sport, Normal, Economy and Snow – to fine-tune driving preferences on the road.

At the end of the day the BYD Dolphin remains a versatile commuter vehicle that is as comfortable to drive, and to sit in, as it is friendly to the environment. The car boasts class-leading interior space thanks to its 2700mm wheelbase, comparable to the best-selling BYD ATTO 3. The flat floor in the rear provides ample legroom and comfort, and the folding rear seats expands the trunk space for added convenience.

The smart-looking hatchback EV continues to extend BYD’s ability to match style and performance for what car buyers actually look for.

PRICE

$152,888 WITH COE (As of 12 June 2025)

 

ENGINE

PERMANENT MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR WITH BYD BLADE 44.9KWH BATTERY

 

TRANSMISSION

SINGLE-SPEED AUTO

 

DRIVING RANGE

340KM (44.9KWH BATTERY)

 

POWER

94HP (70KW MOTOR)

 

TORQUE

180NM

 

0-100KM/H

7 SECONDS

 

DISTRIBUTOR

VANTAGE AUTOMOTIVE

T 6272 8828

ORA 03

Singapore is a perfect market, and environment, for a compact car that can zip through traffic, and get into snug parking spots with not much ado. The ORA 03, nicknamed Good Cat, is just as good as any with the added impetus of being an electric vehicle.

As a sub-brand from Great Wall Motors, ORA is quickly expanding its range and making a mark in Singapore. The ORA 03 is looking like a fine inclusion in the value-for-money range of EVs that still tick many boxes in what drivers look for.

One of these boxes is looks. Here, the ORA 03 combines a bit of quirky with style and panache. Chinese SUV EVs may tend to look the same, but this car breaks the monotony with a youthful stance and a bold facade that is in the realm of the VW Beetle or the MINI Cooper. Fun, funky, and functional is the tone here.

The thoughtful retro design carries through inside and out. Dual tone exterior with 18-inch alloy wheels, striped leather upholstery, interior with 3D mesh coating, angled circular LED headlamps that channel Porsche 911 vibes, and striking two-tone interior panelling all reflect the car’s attempt to combine nostalgia with newness.

For a car in this price range, and an EV at that, GWM has added many features inside the car. Buttonless start function, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, electrically adjustable driver seat with massage function, and the 10.25-inch infotainment screen lays out a futuristic inclination while the suede leather finish of the instrument panel and eco-friendly materials of the interior lend themselves to other facets of what car owners look for. The car also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, aided by USB slots in the front and rear cabin.Despite its size, the car has a range of 420 km from a single charge. The battery has a class-leading capacity of 63kWh and boasts a shorter charging time with its onboard charging capacity of 11kW. And for an entry-level compact EV, the ORA 03 provides a good list of driver assistance and safety features that include door-opening warning, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and intelligent cruise control with smart cornering. Its 360-degree view camera with transparent chassis further help with parking, and evading oncoming cars. Throw in hill-start hold control, traffic sign recognition, lane change and lane keep assist, and you have a car that’s not only smart to look at but intelligent to drive at the same time.

PRICE

FROM $154,999 WITH COE (AS OF 10 JULY)

 

ENGINE

126KW ELECTRIC MOTOR

 

BATTERY CAPACITY

63KWH

 

DRIVING RANGE

420KM

 

POWER

105KW

 

TORQUE

210NM

 

0-100KM/H

8.2 SECONDS

 

DISTRIBUTOR

CYCLE & CARRIAGE

T 6471 9111

NISSAN LEAF

Before the Chinese jumped on the bandwagon, before EVs came into the mainstream, even before TESLA reshaped electric mobility with its first commercially viable model, there was the Nissan LEAF.

The first LEAF appeared in 2009 as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle. Today, it’s still going strong as one of the most reliable and practical compact EVs around.

Despite several generational changes, the LEAF maintains its somewhat quirky, offbeat disposition that appears to be the preferred design track for Japanese EVs. Its stocky, rear-heavy silhouette puts practicality – and uniqueness – ahead of sleekness and style. Still, the current model provides a sense of modernity that is in tandem with Nissan’s current approach.

Performance and driveability of the LEAF leaves little to be desired in this category of EVs. Nissan’s history and experience has created a vehicle that offers immediate acceleration and precise handling. The lower centre of gravity of the lithium-ion battery combined with Intelligent Ride Control (body vibration suppression system) to predict the vertical movement of the vehicle body to reduce vibration and oscillation on rough roads. Furthermore, Intelligent Trace Control manages the brakes of each of the four wheels, giving smoother and more secure cornering manoeuvres. Nissan’s e-Pedal driving also allows acceleration and braking in one smooth motion.

Safety and driving assistant features are ample. Hill-start Assist, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Around View with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Rear View Mirror and Adaptive Front Lighting System make for a safer experience on the roads.

The LEAF is loaded with technological features. The redesigned steering wheel and an advanced Drive Assist Display allows information to be displayed quickly. The nine-inch display may be small compared to what today’s EVs tend to provide, but its clarity makes the LEAF-exclusive Nissan Connect Navigation Infotainment System come to life.

The hatchback design of the LEAF lends itself to hassle-free transportation of passengers and gear around the city and beyond. There is 435l of boot space with the rear seats up, and the 60/40 split configuration, combined with a low boot floor, provides added convenience and flexibility.

The current generation of the Nissan LEAF offers nine different colour ways, and either black or beige leather upholstery with the signature blue stitching.

After more than 15 years, the Nissan LEAF remains one of the most viable, affordable, compact urban EVs in Singapore, leaving very little to be desired.

PRICE

$179,800 WITH COE (As of 12 June 2025)

 

ENGINE

ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH 40KWH LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

 

TRANSMISSION

SINGLE-SPEED WITH E-PEDAL DRIVING

 

DRIVING RANGE

311KM

 

POWER

150PS (110KW) @ 3,283 – 9,795RPM

 

TORQUE

320NM @ 0 – 3,283RPM

 

0-100KM/H

7.9 SECONDS

 

DISTRIBUTOR

TAN CHONG MOTOR SALES

T 6490 9666

More EVs to Choose

The EV space in Singapore is heating up, and with the advent of the recent wave of affordable models from China, car buyers here have more options than ever.