Deloitte: Singapore, Malaysia Prefer Hybrids Over EV

Singaporeans are leaning more towards hybrid cars than fully electric vehicles (EV), according to the Deloitte 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, reported The Business Times Singapore. The same trend appears in Malaysia, where hybrids are also gaining traction even as petrol and diesel cars continue to dominate.

The survey, which covered more than 6,000 respondents across six Southeast Asian markets, including over 1,000 each from Singapore and Malaysia found that 31% of Singaporeans plan for their next car to be a hybrid. Only 12% said they would go for an EV, while 41% still prefer internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

In Malaysia, the numbers tell a similar story. A majority 62% of consumers still favour ICE vehicles, while 16% would consider hybrids. Only 8% said they would opt for an EV and 9% preferred plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

Deloitte said interest in EV remains “muted” across most Southeast Asian markets. The firm noted that hybrids appeal to buyers who want to save on fuel and reduce emissions without depending on a still-limited charging network.

For Singaporeans considering an EV, the top motivations were lower fuel costs (62%), government incentives (48%) and reduced maintenance (47%). But concerns remain — especially charging time (47%), lack of infrastructure (44%) and safety issues around battery technology (40%).

Across the region, conventional ICE vehicles continue to hold the majority share. More than 60% of respondents in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines said they would stick with ICE models. 

Singapore, however, showed the strongest appetite for hybrids, followed by the Philippines (18%), Thailand (17%) and Malaysia (16%).

The study also revealed that younger consumers across the region are rethinking car ownership. Many are open to giving up private vehicles altogether in favour of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) or subscription-based models.

Despite these shifts, personal vehicles remain the main mode of transport in Southeast Asia. But as infrastructure expands and new ownership models gain traction, the region’s transition toward electrification and shared mobility could accelerate in the years ahead.