Transport & Motoring Archives | Page 5 of 15

Here are the answers to your FAQs on electric vehicles (EVs)

Apart from COVID-19 being a hot issue in Singapore and globally, electric vehicles (EVs) are also gaining much attention in 2021.

Earlier this year in February, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that there would be more incentives to encourage EVs’ early adoption in his Budget speech. If you’re a car owner or planning to become one, this topic should be on your radar.

Here are the answers to your FAQs on EVs answered by CNA Insider and the Electric Vehicle Association of Singapore’s vice-president, Paul Welsford.

#1: Is it true that EVs are more environmentally friendly?

If we’re talking about lower emissions over a lifetime, the answer is yes. Welsford added that EVs produce no roadside emissions and has less heat and sound, thus making them ideal for the environment.

#2: Can I save more money driving an EV?

You can save about 50% if you drive an EV compared to a petrol car.

To give you some numbers, the average monthly fuel costs of the Kona 1.6 Turbo, with a fuel efficiency of 100 km per 6.7 litres, is about S$250. Compared to Kona Electric, with 100 km per 15 kilowatt-hours efficiency, the cost amounts to only roughly S$120.

#3: What if my battery runs flat on the road?

Image Credits: Yahoo Finance

Then be sure not to let it run flat!

As with a fuel car, there will be an indication of your battery life so you can gauge your journeys better. But if you do ever run out of juice, you will need to engage services to provide you with a quick top-up via a mobile battery or have them tow your car to the nearest charging point.

#4: Can a single charge take me to Johor Bahru?

Yes! But even if you run out of power, be glad to know that there are fast chargers in Johor Bahru that can load you up with additional hundreds of kilometres in approximately half an hour.

More specifically for Hyundai’s Kona Electric long-range version, you can even drive to Kuala Lumpur in one go. However, it is advisable that you charge at intervals and take the opportunity to get some food and rest up.

#5: Is my safety more compromised if I get into a crash?

Your safety is compromised in a car crash, no matter whether you’re driving an EV or a conventional car.

But take heart in knowing that our sunny island is prepared to handle such fires. Also, EVs have advanced battery management systems to regulate power and temperatures. With every passing quarter, car-makers are working hard at making these systems even safer for you.

Need more deets? Watch the video below for a comprehensive comparison between an EV and a petrol car.

We all know that the NETS Motoring Card is convenient and has made our lives easier — no more switching cards between car parks and ERP gantry gates, instant top-up on the go via NETS FlashPay Reader App, and more. It’s the card you need when the future ERP system is in place. But if you’re still not on board, here’s how you can try it out when you’re at your nearest gas station or when buying your next car insurance!

1. Wipe the grime at SPC

Get a NETS Motoring Card for FREE when you purchase a Cloffs N Spunges Microfiber Pack C900 @ $9.90 at any SPC service station to keep your ride sparkling clean. This cloth is soft to the touch and perfect for use on the interior and exterior of your car. It can even remove polishing wax and microscopic dust particles!

Find out more here.

2. Just buy anything at Shell

For all Shell lovers, we’ve got one more reason for you to enjoy. Just make any in-store purchase at Shell Select and enjoy a zero top-up fee for your NETS Motoring Card. Tip: Consider topping up $50 value each time to maximise cost savings while having full card insurance coverage. After all, the NETS Motoring Card comes with a 12-month free card protection and waiver of your card replacement fees. Do remember to register your card online too!

Find out more here.

3. Get protected with HL Assurance

Protection goes a long way. And it gets even better when you get a FREE NETS Motoring Card with $100 stored value. Just sign up for the Car Protect360 car insurance from HL Assurance and enjoy 25% off today! Drive with peace of mind while covered with 24/7 roadside assistance, daily transport allowance and high personal accident coverage.

Find out more here.

4. Wash up at Caltex

For those who want to keep things clean, go for a carwash at any Caltex service stations, and pump at least $60 gross on fuel to get a FREE NETS Motoring Card! Promotion period lasts from 1 July to 31 Aug 2021.

Find out more here.

If you already own a NETS Motoring Card, fret not, here is your chance to share the joy with your loved ones too.

This article is brought to you by NETS.

Finding an authorized inspection centre

If a car or vehicle is not properly maintained, the driver is more likely to lose control of the car. The car may get involved in accidents, damaging property and causing injuries. Hence in Singapore the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has made it mandatory for vehicle owners to get their vehicle inspected periodically. To ensure that the inspection criteria matches that of the LTA, the car owner should get his car inspected at a LTA authorized inspection centre (AIC). The LTA will send a message to the car owner three months before the inspection of the car is due.

Inspection frequency

The inspection frequency of a vehicle by the LTA depends on the age, type of the vehicle and how it is being used. No inspection is required for new cars which are less than three years old since they will still be in good condition. For cars which are more than three years old and less than ten years old, the car should be inspected once every two years. If the car is more than ten years old, it should be inspected every year. If the car is being used as a taxi, it will be used for more hours daily compared to a personal car. Hence, the taxi should be inspected every six months.

Inspection centre

Additionally, car owners who are using their car to travel long distances on road trips often would like to get their car inspected as a preventive measure. So like car owners with older cars, these car owners would like to find a suitable LTA inspection centre for regular car inspection in Singapore. Many of these inspection centres will charge more for the first car inspection, and for the subsequent car inspections the inspection charges will be less. Hence, car owners should spend some time finding a reliable inspection centre, which they can use for all their car inspections.

Selection

There are a large number of vehicle inspection centres in Singapore. Some of these are businesses, while others are run by associations, especially car owners associations. The commercial inspection centres are sometimes offering better prices for customers who are bringing their vehicle to the centre for re-inspection. The non-profit associations will offer better prices, especially for members. Another consideration while choosing the inspection centre is the location, most car owners prefer a centre close to the place where they work or stay, they do not want to travel long distances only for inspection.

Procedure

Usually the car owner who wishes to get his car inspected will first have to contact the inspection centre where he wishes to get the vehicle inspected on phone or using other methods. He will hand over the car to the vehicle inspector, who will inspect the vehicle and test the braking system, steering system, suspension system, lighting and other parts. It is observed that more than 95% of the vehicles are passing the inspection. In case the vehicle does not pass the inspection, it will have to be reinspected after fixing the defective component or system.

Most Common Car Insurance Mistakes

The biggest mistake that you can make when it comes to car insurance is not having any at all. Purchasing the first insurance policy that you find is often not the best idea either. Car insurance is an expense that you have to pay if you own a car and because of this you should make sure that you choose a policy not just based on price, but also on your needs as well. Here are some of the common mistakes that people make when they are purchasing car insurance.

Types of Coverage Needed

There is a minimum coverage necessary provided by the government. While it may seem like a good idea to just purchase the minimum amount of car insurance needed and be done, this is not necessarily the best idea. Every person has unique needs when it comes to protection and the needs depend on factors such as the type of car you drive, experience, how often you drive, and the weather and driving conditions where you live.

Full coverage would be ideal for everyone, but the cost is very high. The best option is to choose coverage that balances the coverage with the cost. Consult with your agent about what type of policy will be right for your needs.

Comparisons

Many people simply find an insurance company and go with them. This is a mistake as you should shop around and find the best rate. When you get options from several companies you are going to be able to make a car insurance comparison in Singapore for the coverage that you get for the price you will have to pay. This is the best way to make sure that you are not overpaying for car insurance.

Lying on Application

Another mistake that people make is not telling the truth on the insurance application. Your insurance company is going to have access to your driving records so there is no reason to lie. A company can refuse coverage if they find too many inconsistencies, so make sure that you are telling the truth.

Deductible

Many people do not choose the right amount for their deductible. A lower deductible will mean that you pay more for the policy, but if you are in an accident you will not have to pay as much out of pocket. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, but you will pay more if you are in an accident. Make sure that you choose an amount for your deductible that you can afford to pay if you are in an accident.

Research

Another mistake that people make is simply not researching insurance policies online. There are many great comparison sites that will provide you with information from several insurance companies all right on one page. This is the easiest way to find the best price for the type of coverage that you need.

Excessive Coverage

Just like you can purchase too little insurance you can also buy too much. If you have a car that is old and not worth much, you do not likely need to pay for a comprehensive insurance plan. If you purchase this type of plan you are going to be paying a lot of money for coverage that you simply do not need. Make sure that you think about how much you can afford to pay if you are in an accident and choose the right amount of coverage for the type of vehicle that you drive.

Ask Questions

The most important thing that you can do when you are searching for car insurance is to make sure that you ask questions. If you do not understand something, make sure that you ask about it. Do not let an insurance agent talk you into coverage that you simply do not need. Remember to consider the deductible as a way to lower the cost of your insurance overall as well. Know what your budget is and try to get a policy that is within that range.

Overall, make sure that you take your time when you are searching for car insurance and ask any questions that may arise. If you do this you should have no problem getting a quality car insurance policy that is affordable.

From today, enjoy EVEN HIGHER fuel savings of up to 21.15%* at Shell with UOB Credit Cards! Here’s the quick lowdown of this fantastic collaboration:

UOB One Credit Cardmembers enjoy 17% instant fuel discount at Shell + up to 5% cashback*.
UOB Reserve Credit Cardmembers enjoy 17% instant fuel discount at Shell.
All other UOB Credit Cardmembers enjoy a 14% instant fuel discount at Shell.

Find out more below on how you can enjoy higher fuel savings at Shell with UOB Credit Cards!

Score Higher Upfront Savings

Holding a UOB Credit Card? Score even higher instant discounts at Shell! Cardmembers will be pleased to know that Shell and UOB Cards have increased their instant discount component to bring you even higher fuel savings as shown below.

Terms and Conditions Apply:

¹ Up to 21.15% savings for UOB One Credit Card is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount, 7% UOB One Credit Card instant discount, and, if applicable, up to 5% UOB One Credit Card cashback.

²Instant 17% discount for UOB Reserve Credit Card is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount and 7% instant discount for UOB Reserve Credit Card.

³Instant 14% discount for other UOB Credit Cards is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount, 4% upfront discount for other UOB Cards.

⁴Enjoy up to 5% cashback based on a spend of S$2,000 monthly for each qualifying quarter with min. 5 purchases monthly to earn the quarterly cash rebate of S$300. Visit uob.com.sg/one for full terms and conditions.

Valid Shell Escape Card must be presented to the cashier to enjoy the bank upfront discounts. Other terms and conditions apply. Visit uob.com.sg/fuelpowershell for more details.

Please note that there has been an update to the UOB SMART$ programme at Shell. Earning of UOB SMART$ at Shell has ceased and the last day of redemption of UOB SMART$ at Shell will end on 16 June 2021, 23:59.

As shown above, UOB One Credit Cardmembers who pump at Shell can earn up to a whopping 21.15% discount as shown in the example above. This makes it one of the most enticing offer in the market today!

To earn the attractive cashback from your UOB One Credit Card, simply pick up your daily necessities available at the Shell Select stores. Shell Select are stocked with a variety of snacks and beverages along with other convenient items, all selected for the high quality to ensure that you get the best available. Refuel your car for the journey ahead and enjoy a pleasant and hassle-free customer experience at Shell Select!

Earn More Rewards With Shell Escape Loyalty Programme

To enjoy upfront savings, don’t forget to sign up for the Shell Escape Loyalty Programme card.

Simply pick up a Shell Escape Card and register for the Shell Escape Loyalty Programme online at your convenience. Once you have registered, you are on your way to earn Shell Escape points on your fuel purchases. Pump more at Shell today to accumulate more Shell Escape Points! Thereafter, treat yourself to a plethora of deserving rewards simply by redeeming your Shell Escape points.

Sign up For UOB One Credit Card Now

If you do not have a UOB One Credit Card, simply sign up for one so that you can immediately enjoy higher fuel savings at Shell! Remember to present your Shell Escape Card to boost your rewards at Shell further! Sign up now for a UOB One Credit Card today at https://www.uob.com.sg/onecards/apply-now.html