Electric mobility is upon us, and Chinese carmakers are steadily crowding into the market. Here are three new electric vehicles from China that are rocking the convention in Singapore car sales.
The electrification of mobility is upon us, and clearly, it is the future of our roads. How and how fast we get there is still up for grabs, but the technology is already here, waiting for infrastructure – and personal preferences – to catch up.
If electric vehicles are to form the fabric of transportation in the decades ahead, no one ought to ignore the prevalence, if not domination, of Chinese battery technology. Already, Chinese brands have made great inroads into the automobile space, putting together well-designed, solidly made, and attractively priced models that have made their way into people’s consciousness, if not pockets.
In Singapore, electric vehicles account for one out of every three cars sold in 2024. Models from Chinese brands account for a large portion of this. BYD sold more than 6,000 units last year, with sales topping every other brand in the country.
Chinese electric cars are coming out in different sizes, with a myriad seating configurations, and varying luxury standards. In this article, we feature three EVs that drivers looking to switch to an EV shouldn’t ignore.
ORA 07 Electric Fastback Sedan
With the success of the cute and capable ORA Good Cat, Great Wall Motor has continued to bring out interesting, functional, and good-looking cars to boost its stable. The ORA 07 pushes the company forward into the popular, and crowded, sedan sector.
The highly anticipated four-door debuted at the recent 2025 Singapore Motorshow, accompanied by a significant number of electric compatriots from China.
The sports coupe countenance of the 07 provides a sleek and dynamic silhouette, punctuated by the sloping roofline, frameless doors, and flush door handles. The Dynamic Nebula Eye headlights offer advanced, adaptive technology for enhanced safety. Form does follow function with the fastback sedan, and at high speeds, the smart-looking electric retractable rear spoiler deploys seamlessly, optimising downforce and stability to keep the ORA 07 firmly planted on the road. The expansive 1.7 sqm panoramic sunroof illuminates the cabin while providing the car’s inhabitants a view of the above.
Inside, ambient lighting lets drivers tailor the mood of the interior to match any vibe with no less than 256 colours — far more than the norm. The attention to detail extends to the extra-large vanity mirror with its LED ring light, which offers bright, natural lighting perfect for a quick touch-up before stepping out. The leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel is a touch of class, and the sports seats with ventilation and massage functions, are mostly found in luxury cars.
Electric motors have launched the popularity of Chinese automobiles in recent years, and the trend is climbing hard and fast. The ORA 07 has a powerful 150kW electric motor at its core, hurtling the car from 0 to 100km/h in under eight seconds. The 83.5kWh battery gives the car a range of up to 570km (WLTP) on a single charge. With DC charging of up to 88kW, the battery can get from 30 to 80 per cent in about half an hour. With 11kW AC charging, an empty battery can be fully charged in eight hours.
Computer power is the bloodline that runs most electric cars, and the ORA 07 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip as its heart. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both offered and thankfully connected without cables. The canon-shaped triple display is futuristic and useful in offering real-time driving information.
The ORA 07 is equipped with a suite of 19 smart sensors, including an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) camera, four surround-view cameras, two millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic radars. Together, they form a near-complete digital understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings, enabling advanced safety systems while enhancing driving features. Keyless entry means drivers don’t need to unlock and lock their cars manually, and the integrated parking feature allows for easy parking in the tightest of spots.
ORA is growing their EV offerings in Singapore, and the ORA 07, with its attractive pricing and comprehensive packaging, is a bold step forward.
The ORA 07 is equipped with a suite of 19 smart sensors, including an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) camera, four surround-view cameras, two millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic radars. Together, they form a near-complete digital understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings, enabling advanced safety systems while enhancing driving features. Keyless entry means drivers don’t need to unlock and lock their cars manually, and the integrated parking feature allows for easy parking in the tightest of spots.
ORA is growing their EV offerings in Singapore, and the ORA 07, with its attractive pricing and comprehensive packaging, is a bold step forward.
PRICE
$199,999 WITH COE (20 MAR 2025)
ENGINE
SINGLE-MOTOR ELECTRIC
BATTERY CAPACITY
83.5KWH
RANGE
570KM
POWER
150KW
TORQUE
340NM
0-100KM/H
7.9 SECONDS
DISTRIBUTOR
CYCLE & CARRIAGE ORA
T 64708181
MAXUS MIFA 7
Truth be told, there aren’t many electric MPVs out there at the moment, so the Maxus MIFA 7 is a nice choice for families needing to ferry a brood and wanting some extra space inside.
The boxy design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does its job of providing a large interior to carry up to seven people and a tonne of gear. What it gives up in style, it more than compensates with premium materials and technology.
A panoramic roof floods the interior with ample lighting, great for people sitting in the executive, single seats in the second row if you’re into the ‘towkay’ type of experience when being driven around. The seats in the back row do offer very good legroom and headspace, and the good cushioning will come in useful for long rides.
The Maxus MIFA 7 does look different if that’s what you’re looking for. The unique modernity of the vertical headlight design is something that seems to be on trend. This feature is also found in the rear lights, which have a minimalist disposition. Some other features worth mentioning are the door handles that blend into the door when not used, and the 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels that purport to enhance handling and performance with their aerodynamics.
The dual 12.3-inch high-resolution screens stretch across the dashboard, providing all the info you need with a glance. The eight JBL speakers bring the party into the cockpit and add to the driving experience. And wireless charging pads eliminate the need for unwieldy wires when staying connected.
The Maxus MIFA 7 is also equipped with a wealth of driver assistance systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Automated Emergency Braking. There are also three driving modes – Normal, Power, and Eco – so you can customise your ride for different occasions. Rear Cross Traffic Alert and 360-degree Blind Spot Monitoring should further keep you and those around you safe on the road.
The side-opening doors are a welcome convenience, especially since, with the car’s size and you’re parked too close to the next car. And the 1.756mm height of the car means you can stack quite a bit of gear vertically in the large storage space.
There aren’t many electric MPVs currently available in Singapore, so if you need a car that can provide the advantages of one, this is a great one to consider.
PRICE
LUXURY: $222,999 WITH COE (20 MAR 2025)
(20 MAR 2025)
ENGINE
SINGLE-MOTOR ELECTRIC
BATTERY CAPACITY
90KWH
RANGE
480KM
POWER
180KW
TORQUE
350NM
0-100KM/H
9 SECONDS
DISTRIBUTOR
CYCLE & CARRIAGE MAXUS
T 64708686
BYD SEALION 7
If you feel that every other electric SUV on the road seems to be a BYD ATTO 3, you’re not seeing things. The fact that the car from Chinese battery maker BYD has become a best-seller in Singapore is a testament to the success of the transition the company has made vertically, parlaying their battery prowess downstream into vehicles that use them.
BYD has upped the ante and raised their game with the new SEALION 7, a premium, full-sized SUV that combines performance with fine finishing. BYD claims it to be its flagship SUV, which says something about how they hope to position the car.
Launched at the 2025 Singapore Motorshow, the SUV looks highly attractive on paper. It comes in two variants – the Premium offers a 230kW/380Nm package, and the Performance with its amped 390kW/690Nm stats. Both variants feature BYD’s revolutionary Blade Battery, renowned for its enhanced safety, longevity, and support for DC fast charging (up to 150 kW). In addition, the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability allows the car to power external devices like camping gear and emergency systems.
Larger than the ubiquitous ATTO 3, the SEALION 7 boasts 6/4 split-fold rear seats and a cavernous 1,7899 litres of storage space. Its longer wheelbase gives it a more elongated look when viewed from the side, and appears as a mash-up between an SUV and an estate wagon. The panoramic sunroof inside is the largest in its class, and the AC and DC charging options provide versatility when on the go. The new BYD Blade Battery is proven safe by EURO NCAP and Nail Penetration tests and delivers zero fire or smoke.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow for connectivity while travelling, and the BYD app lets you pre-cool the car and check the battery status on your smartphone. Wireless and wired charging is also available inside the cockpit. Heads Up Display provides a high-end convenience, and the 360-degree camera system makes parking and navigating tight roads a breeze.
BYD has also enhanced its safety offerings by giving the SEALION 7 a slew of features. Auto Emergency Braking applies the brakes when danger is afoot, Blind Spot Detection warns of hidden vehicles, and monitors give off a warning when you’re opening the doors with cars approaching. Rear Cross Traffic Alert is useful when reversing from parking lots, and Lane Departure Warning helps with lane integrity. The car also has Adaptive Cruise Control which is most useful on your trips up to Malaysia.
The BYD SEALION 7 comes in four new colours – Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey, Shark Grey and Aurora White. If you feel that electric cars are wheels attached to a large battery, then there is every reason to consider one made by the dominant battery maker in the market.
PRICE
PREMIUM: $207,388 WITH COE (20 MAR 2025)
ENGINE
SINGLE-MOTOR ELECTRIC
BATTERY CAPACITY
230KW/390KW (PREMIUM/PERFORMANCE)
BATTERY RANGE
480KM/460KM (PREMIUM/PERFORMANCE)
POWER
230KW/390KW (PREMIUM/PERFORMANCE)
TORQUE
380NM/690NM (PREMIUM/PERFORMANCE)
0-100KM/H
6.7/4.5 SECONDS (PREMIUM/PERFORMANCE)
DISTRIBUTOR
BYD SINGAPORE
T 62588888
The Future of Electric Mobility Speaks Chinese
Chinese carmakers are banking on the electrification of mobility to drive its growth. Myriad brands from the country have seen unprecedented growth across the world, and Singapore is no exception. The jury is out as to how dominant Chinese electric vehicles are here and on what sort of sales trajectory is anticipated.
