EV charging after the July 2026 tariff hike: the actual cost
Published · Updated · 4 min read · PaperValue.sg
The July 2026 electricity increase is now confirmed: 34.78 cents/kWh including GST, up from 29.72 cents in April–June. That is a 17.0% increase, below the 22% assumption in our original article. The rate applies from 1 July to 30 September 2026. SP Group’s tariff announcement, EMA’s current tariff.
For a 60 kWh battery, an empty-to-full home charge now costs about $23.19, or $3.37 more than last quarter, assuming 90% charging efficiency. The effect on your monthly budget depends on how far you drive.
What a full charge costs
These examples use battery capacity rather than model names, because battery sizes vary by trim. At 90% efficiency, a 60 kWh battery needs about 66.7 kWh from the wall.
| Battery capacity | April–June 2026 | July–September 2026 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 kWh | $14.86 | $17.39 | $2.53 |
| 60 kWh | $19.81 | $23.19 | $3.37 |
| 80 kWh | $26.42 | $30.92 | $4.50 |
Calculation: battery capacity ÷ 0.90 × electricity price. Charging efficiency is an illustration, not a measured figure for every car. A partial charge costs proportionately less.
Your household rate may differ if you use an electricity retailer’s plan. A condo charger can also carry operator or management charges; it does not necessarily bill at the household tariff.
What changes each month
Assume you drive 1,300 km a month and your EV uses 16 kWh per 100 km at the battery. At the same 90% charging efficiency, you buy about 231 kWh of electricity:
- At the April–June tariff: about $69 a month.
- At the July–September tariff: about $80 a month.
- Increase: about $12 a month, or $140 over a year if both rates were held constant.
That annual figure is a comparison, not a tariff forecast. Electricity prices are revised quarterly.
Home charging and public charging are different budgets
Public operators set their own prices. Check the charger’s app for the rate, discounts and any parking or idle fees before using it. A change in the household tariff does not automatically produce the same percentage change at a public charger.
Here is a like-for-like energy comparison for 15,600 km a year:
| Option | Rate used | Annual energy cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home charging | 34.78¢/kWh, published Q3 tariff | $965 |
| Public charging example | 65¢/kWh, assumed | $1,803 |
| Higher public charging example | 80¢/kWh, assumed | $2,219 |
| Petrol example, 14 km/litre | $2.70/litre after discounts, assumed | $3,009 |
The EV rows use 16 kWh/100 km and 90% charging efficiency. Public charging and petrol prices are scenario inputs, not current market averages. Replace them with the prices you actually pay.
At those inputs, annual energy savings range from about $790 with the higher public rate to $2,044 at home. Road tax, insurance, maintenance and depreciation still need to come out of that saving.
Should the hike change your car decision?
For an existing EV owner, work out the change from your metered charging use: each 100 kWh costs $5.06 more at the new regulated rate.
For someone considering an EV, charging access matters more than this quarter’s increase. Compare the chargers you can routinely use, then get road-tax and insurance figures for the exact car. A favourable energy bill alone does not justify replacing a car that still meets your needs.
Our EV versus petrol cost comparison puts those other costs alongside the energy savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 60 kWh EV cost to charge at home?
About $23.19 from empty to full at the July–September 2026 regulated tariff, assuming 90% charging efficiency. Your electricity plan and charging losses affect the actual bill.
Do public chargers follow the SP tariff?
Operators set their own prices. Use the rate shown for your charger and include parking, session and idle charges where applicable.
Will electricity cost the same next quarter?
This article uses the published rate for 1 July–30 September 2026. Check EMA’s tariff page for later quarters; these calculations do not assume future prices.
Does cheaper charging mean an EV is cheaper to own?
It can help, but the purchase price, resale value, road tax, insurance and repair costs determine the full result. Compare those over the same ownership period.