As Singapore accelerates towards a cleaner, electrified future, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly common sight on our roads. But with this shift comes a wave of new terminology: kWh, regenerative braking, AC vs DC charging, and more. Here’s a comprehensive glossary to help car buyers make sense of EV jargon and make informed choices this World Electric Vehicle Day (9 Sep).

Electric vehicles are no longer a distant vision, they’re rapidly becoming the mainstream choice for urban mobility in Singapore. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has rolled out ambitious plans to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040, and with more charging points sprouting up across HDB estates and shopping malls, the transition is well underway.

However, the language of EVs can be confusing for first-time buyers. This glossary breaks down the most important terms you’ll encounter, empowering you to navigate the EV landscape with confidence.

Essential EV terms explained

1. Alternating Current (AC) vs Direct Current (DC) Charging: Most home and public chargers in Singapore provide AC power. Charging is slower but suitable for overnight top-ups. Fast chargers at locations like Shell Recharge or SP Group stations provide DC power, enabling much quicker charging, ideal for topping up during a shopping trip.

2. Battery Chemistry: Common types include Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC). LFP batteries typically offer a longer lifespan (often over 3,000 cycles) and lower cost due to abundant materials, while NMC batteries deliver higher energy density for greater driving range and faster performance, but tend to have shorter lifespans (about 1,000 cycles) and are more expensive to produce. LFP is favoured for durability and value, whereas NMC is preferred for top-tier performance and compact size.

3. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): A BEV runs solely on electricity stored in its battery and does not have a petrol or diesel engine. Popular models in Singapore include the Hyundai Kona Electric and Tesla Model 3.

4. Charging Standards – Type 2 & CCS: Singapore’s national charging standard mandates Type 2 AC and Combined Charging System (CCS) for DC charging. These are the plug types you’ll find at most public charging points.

5. Electric Vehicle (EV): An EV is any vehicle that uses electricity to move, typically powered by batteries rather than petrol or diesel. This broad category includes fully electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and even electric buses and scooters.

6. Fast Charging: Typically refers to DC charging at 50 kW or higher. Fast charging is available at many public locations in Singapore and can recharge most EVs to 80% in under an hour.

7. Kilowatt (kW): Kilowatt measures the rate of energy transfer. In EVs, it’s used to describe both the power output of the electric motor and the charging speed. A 100 kW charger, for instance, can add energy to your battery much faster than a 7 kW home charger.

8. Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): This is the unit used to measure an EV’s battery capacity. Essentially, how much energy the battery can store. A higher kWh rating means a longer driving range. For example, a 60 kWh battery can theoretically deliver 60 kilowatts of power for one hour.

9. Onboard Charger: This is the device inside your EV that converts AC from the grid into DC for the battery. The onboard charger’s capacity determines how quickly your car can charge at a given AC charging point.

10. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A PHEV combines a traditional engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. It can run on electric power alone for short distances before switching to petrol or diesel. In Singapore, notable PHEV models include the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, Jaecoo J7 Plug-in Hybrid, GAC E9, Mazda CX-80, Volvo XC60 Recharge, Jaguar F-PACE Plug-in Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon, Land Rover Defender 110, Lexus RX 450h+, and performance options such as the Ferrari F80 and Lamborghini Temerario. These models span mass-market and luxury segments, offering flexibility and efficient mobility for city and regional driving.

11. Range: This is the distance an EV can travel on a single charge, typically measured in kilometres. In Singapore’s compact urban landscape, even EVs with modest range are practical for daily commutes.

12. Regenerative Braking: Unlike traditional brakes that waste energy as heat, regenerative braking captures kinetic energy during braking and converts it back into electricity, recharging the battery. This feature is especially useful in stop-and-go city traffic, making it ideal for Singapore’s roads.

13. State of Charge (SoC): SoC indicates how much charge is left in your EV’s battery, expressed as a percentage. Think of it as your fuel gauge, where 100% means fully charged, and 0% means empty.

14. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): A developing technology allowing EVs to feed electricity back into the power grid, potentially earning owners rebates or helping balance national energy demand.

15. Battery Swapping: An alternative to charging, battery swapping involves replacing a depleted battery with a fully charged one. While not yet widespread in Singapore, it’s a growing trend in some Asian markets.

Singapore-specific EV considerations

• Charging Infrastructure: The LTA’s Technical Reference 25 (TR 25) sets safety and compatibility standards for EV charging systems in Singapore, ensuring reliable and safe charging for all users.

• Public Charging Points: With over 3,600 charging points islandwide and more planned, finding a place to charge is becoming increasingly convenient, even for HDB dwellers.

• Government Incentives: Schemes like the EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) and VES rebates make EVs more affordable for Singaporeans by directly reducing the upfront Additional Registration Fee (ARF) when purchasing a new electric vehicle. The EEAI offers an automatic rebate of 45% off the ARF, capped at S$15,000 until December 2025, while the VES provides rebates of up to S$25,000 for the cleanest EVs (Band A1), applied directly to the ARF for eligible models. By lowering this major upfront cost, both schemes can be stacked for combined savings, helping Singaporeans pay significantly less at the point of purchase.

Common EV myths busted

Myth: EVs can’t handle Singapore’s humidity and heat.
Fact: Modern EVs are designed for a wide range of climates, and local models are tested for tropical conditions.

 

Myth: Charging takes too long.
Fact: With DC fast chargers, you can top up most EVs in under an hour, enough for a week’s worth of city driving.

 

Myth: EVs are a higher fire risk.
Fact: EVs are dramatically less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars. Studies show the global EV fire rate is just 0.0012%, compared to 0.1% for traditional vehicles.

 

Myth: EVs don’t have enough range for daily use.
Fact: Most modern EVs can easily cover 300–500 km on a single charge, far above the average daily drive in Singapore, which is just 50–55 km. Range anxiety is increasingly outdated as technology and charging infrastructure improve.

 

Myth: There aren’t enough charging points.
Fact: Singapore’s charging network is expanding rapidly, with thousands of charging stations already deployed and government targets for even greater coverage by 2030.

Driving forward

As Singapore races towards a greener future, understanding EV jargon is key to making informed decisions. Whether you’re eyeing your first electric car or simply want to keep up with the times, this glossary arms you with the knowledge to navigate the EV revolution confidently. The next time you hear terms like kWh, regenerative braking, or Type 2 charging, you’ll know exactly what they mean—and why they matter for your journey on Singapore’s roads.