- Singapore's electric motorcycle startups are facing low domestic adoption as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) states that electrification of motorcycles remains "at an early stage".
- Kilats has nearly 700 e-motorcycles operating in Indonesia through Grab and plans to expand further in Indonesia, enter Thailand by year-end, and move into Vietnam and the Philippines in 2027.
- Leo Electric explored Nigeria and the Middle East before returning to Singapore, where it plans to introduce a plug-in electric motorcycle model by the end of 2026.
- Both Kilats and Leo Electric indicate that Singapore's road network requires larger, heavier batteries for high-speed travel, making small swappable batteries impractical.
- The LTA confirmed that electric motorcycles can legally charge at public EV charging points, addressing a common misconception.
- Co-founder Vincent Yap of Kilats described Singapore as a "springboard" for regional growth rather than a primary market.
- Transport economist Walter Theseira noted that battery swapping is effective for neighbourhood delivery riders but not for long-distance couriers, who need to swap every couple of hours.
- Charged Asia and Leo Electric plan to launch plug-in motorcycles locally this year, with prices expected to be slightly higher than petrol bikes, but long-term savings on fuel and maintenance are anticipated.
- The startups expect corporate fleets—logistics firms, government agencies, and last-mile delivery operators—to lead adoption over the next two to three years.
- Charged Asia suggested a "carrot-and-stick" policy similar to electric car incentives, proposing to penalise polluting motorcycles and subsidise electric ones.
- Leo Electric's Nicholas Ng stated that improving technology and falling costs could enable more ambitious electrification targets in the next decade.
- "Ultimately, every electric vehicle on the road contributes towards Singapore's sustainability goals."
Singapore's electric motorcycle market is lagging, with only 433 registered bikes, representing just 0.2% of the total motorcycle population. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) states that electrification remains "at an early stage" despite a national goal for cleaner vehicles by 2040.1
Local startups like Kilats and Charged Asia are shifting focus abroad, particularly to Indonesia, where Kilats operates nearly 700 e-motorcycles through Grab and plans to expand into Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines by 2027. Charged Asia aims to scale its operations to 300,000 motorcycles across Southeast Asia.235
Co-founder Vincent Yap of Kilats describes Singapore as a "springboard" for regional growth rather than a primary market. Meanwhile, Leo Electric is exploring international markets, including Nigeria and the Middle East, while planning to introduce a plug-in electric motorcycle model in Singapore by 2026.47
Challenges remain, as both Kilats and Leo Electric highlight that Singapore's road network requires larger batteries for high-speed travel, making small swappable batteries impractical. Transport economist Walter Theseira noted that battery swapping is more suited for neighborhood delivery riders than for long-distance couriers.8
Despite the slow local uptake, operators expect corporate fleets to lead adoption in the next two to three years. Charged Asia suggests implementing a "carrot-and-stick" policy to incentivize electric motorcycle adoption, while Nicholas Ng from Leo Electric believes that improving technology and falling costs could enhance electrification targets in the coming decade.111213
Ultimately, every electric vehicle on the road contributes towards Singapore's sustainability goals.
“Startups like Leo Electric and Kilats are expanding into Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Middle East, where demand for electric two-wheelers is higher. The LTA's comment underscores that Singapore's broader push toward cleaner vehicles has not yet accelerated motorcycle electrification.”
