SG: Hybrids becoming more common

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular with both motorists and taxi drivers. Cost was the factor that drove people away from such vehicles. However, now that many car makers have successfully made their hybrid models cheaper, more are making the switch; in 2009, only 3000 odd vehicles on our roads were hybrids. The latest figure is close to double of that, with about 6000 odd hybrids registered for road use. The rising fuel costs may be a factor as well. In 2009, the lowest cost 92-octane fuel was $1.60 a litre. It will now cost almost $2 a litre. This means that the higher initial purchase price would be offset by the long term fuel savings. All that said, hybrids still only make up a small percentage of the total vehicle population in Singapore. Petrol-electric hybrids only make up 0.9 and 5.3 percent of cars and cabs here, respectively. But, with the decreasing price gap between the modern hybrids and a typical vehicle, the figure is set to significantly increase. Pictures used for illustration purposes only.