Singapore VES Calculator
Calculate your vehicle’s emission band, rebate or surcharge under the Vehicular Emissions Scheme
| Pollutant | Your Value | Band A Max | Band B Max | Your Band |
|---|
| Band | CO2 (g/km) | HC (g/km) | CO (g/km) | NOx (g/km) |
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| Band | 2026 (Car) | 2027 (Car) |
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Singapore VES Calculator: Understand Your Vehicle Emissions Rebate or Surcharge
The Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) is Singapore's primary mechanism for encouraging the adoption of cleaner vehicles. Whether you are purchasing a new car, taxi, or importing a used vehicle, understanding your VES band and its corresponding rebate or surcharge is essential for accurate budgeting. This comprehensive calculator helps you determine your vehicle's VES classification based on its emission levels and provides instant calculations of the financial impact on your Additional Registration Fee (ARF).
Understanding the Vehicular Emissions Scheme
The Vehicular Emissions Scheme replaced the Carbon Emission-Based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) on 1 January 2018, expanding the assessment criteria from carbon dioxide alone to five pollutants. This change reflects Singapore's commitment to improving air quality and reducing the health impacts of vehicular pollution. The scheme applies to all newly registered cars and taxis, including imported used vehicles.
The five pollutants assessed under VES are carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Each pollutant has specific threshold values for each VES band. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and National Environment Agency (NEA) jointly administer the scheme, with regular reviews to ensure alignment with technological advances and environmental goals.
Your vehicle's VES band is always determined by its worst-performing pollutant. A vehicle with excellent CO2 emissions but high particulate matter will be classified based on its PM level, not its CO2 performance.
VES Bands and Rebates for 2026
From 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027, the VES operates under a revised banding structure that focuses incentives on fully electric vehicles. The previous bands A1 and A2 have been merged into a single Band A, whilst Band B becomes neutral, and bands C1, C2, and C3 carry increasing surcharges. Only vehicles achieving Band A classification receive rebates under the new structure.
For cars registered in 2026, Band A vehicles receive a rebate of S$22,500 off the ARF. This reduces to S$20,000 for vehicles registered in 2027. Taxis receive 1.5 times the rebate amount, recognising their higher mileage and greater environmental impact. The neutral Band B carries no rebate or surcharge, whilst bands C1 through C3 impose progressively higher surcharges ranging from S$7,500 to S$35,000 in 2026.
VES Pollutant Thresholds
Each VES band has specific pollutant thresholds that vehicles must meet. For Band A, vehicles must achieve zero emissions for HC, CO, NOx, and PM, with CO2 emissions at or below 90 grams per kilometre. This effectively restricts Band A to fully electric vehicles, as even the cleanest hybrid vehicles produce some level of these pollutants.
Band B allows CO2 up to 120 g/km, HC up to 0.024 g/km, CO up to 0.190 g/km, NOx up to 0.009 g/km, and PM up to 0.3 mg/km. These thresholds accommodate some efficient hybrid vehicles, though they no longer receive rebates under the revised scheme. Bands C1, C2, and C3 have progressively higher thresholds, with C3 applying to any vehicle exceeding the C2 limits.
For electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, an emission factor of 0.4g CO2/Wh is applied to the vehicle's electricity consumption to calculate its CO2 emissions. This factor accounts for emissions from electricity generation and remains in effect until 31 December 2027.
How VES Affects Your ARF
The VES rebate or surcharge directly impacts your Additional Registration Fee. For vehicles qualifying for rebates, the amount is deducted from the calculated ARF, subject to a minimum ARF payment of S$5,000 for most vehicles. However, fully electric cars and taxis registered between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2027 enjoy a reduced minimum ARF of S$0, making electric vehicles significantly more affordable.
When calculating your total vehicle cost, the VES adjustment is applied after the ARF is computed based on the Open Market Value (OMV). For example, a vehicle with an ARF of S$30,000 and a Band A classification would have its ARF reduced to S$7,500 (S$30,000 minus S$22,500 rebate). Conversely, a Band C3 vehicle would see its effective cost increase by S$35,000 through the surcharge.
Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive
The EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) provides additional savings for electric vehicle buyers beyond the VES rebate. For vehicles registered in 2026, the EEAI offers a 45% rebate on the ARF, capped at S$7,500. This is stackable with the VES rebate, meaning electric vehicle buyers can enjoy combined savings of up to S$30,000 in 2026.
The EEAI will cease from 1 January 2027, meaning vehicles registered from that date onwards will only benefit from the VES rebate. This tapering of incentives reflects the Government's confidence that electric vehicle adoption has gained sufficient momentum and that the upfront cost gap between electric and internal combustion engine vehicles has narrowed significantly.
Port-Fuel Injection Engine Rule
Vehicles using port-fuel injection engines that do not have a recorded particulate matter (PM) value face automatic classification in the maximum surcharge band. For vehicles registered from 2026 onwards, this means automatic Band C3 classification and a S$35,000 surcharge, regardless of how well the vehicle performs on other pollutants. This rule encourages manufacturers to adopt direct injection and other cleaner technologies.
If you are considering a vehicle with a port-fuel injection engine, it is crucial to verify whether it has a PM value recorded in the vehicle's type approval documentation. Vehicles without this value cannot escape the maximum surcharge band, making them significantly more expensive to register in Singapore.
Before purchasing a vehicle with a port-fuel injection engine, verify that it has a recorded PM value. Vehicles without PM values are automatically assigned to Band C3, incurring a S$35,000 surcharge in 2026.
VES Changes for 2027
The VES scheme undergoes further tightening from 1 January 2027. Band A rebates reduce from S$22,500 to S$20,000, whilst surcharges increase substantially across all penalty bands. Band C1 doubles from S$7,500 to S$15,000, Band C2 increases from S$22,500 to S$30,000, and Band C3 rises from S$35,000 to S$45,000.
These progressive increases reflect Singapore's commitment to its cleaner-energy vehicle targets. By 2030, all new car and taxi registrations must be cleaner-energy models, working towards the vision of 100% cleaner-energy vehicles by 2040. The escalating surcharges for internal combustion engine vehicles make the total cost of ownership increasingly unfavourable compared to electric alternatives.
Impact on Hybrid Vehicles
Under the revised VES from 2026, hybrid vehicles no longer qualify for rebates. Most petrol-electric hybrids fall into Band B (neutral) or Band C1 (surcharge), depending on their emission levels. This represents a significant shift from previous VES iterations, where efficient hybrids could qualify for the A2 band and receive a S$2,500 rebate.
Popular hybrid models like the Toyota Prius, Honda Fit Hybrid, and Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid typically achieve emission levels that place them in Band B under the new structure. However, larger hybrid SUVs and performance hybrids may fall into Band C1, incurring the S$7,500 surcharge. Prospective hybrid buyers should carefully verify the specific emission data for their chosen model.
Calculating Your Vehicle's VES Band
To determine your vehicle's VES band, you need the emission data for all five pollutants as measured under the relevant test cycle. For most vehicles, this information is available from the manufacturer's specifications or the vehicle's type approval certificate. Compare each pollutant's emission level against the threshold table and identify the worst-performing pollutant.
For example, if a vehicle has CO2 at 100 g/km (Band B), HC at 0.015 g/km (Band B), CO at 0.15 g/km (Band B), NOx at 0.020 g/km (Band C2), and PM at 0.5 mg/km (Band C1), the vehicle would be classified as Band C2 because NOx is the worst-performing pollutant. This classification results in a S$22,500 surcharge in 2026.
PARF Rebate Considerations
The Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate you receive when deregistering your vehicle is calculated based on the net ARF paid after accounting for VES rebates. If you enjoyed a VES rebate at registration, your PARF rebate upon deregistration will be lower, reflecting the reduced ARF you originally paid.
Conversely, if you paid a VES surcharge, your PARF rebate is still calculated based on the ARF only, excluding the surcharge amount. This means the surcharge represents a pure additional cost that cannot be recovered through PARF. Understanding this distinction is important when evaluating the total cost of ownership over your vehicle's lifespan.
Tax Implications and Financial Planning
The VES rebate or surcharge affects your vehicle's total cost but does not directly impact income tax or GST calculations. However, for businesses operating vehicle fleets, the VES outcomes can significantly affect capital expenditure budgets and total cost of ownership calculations. Companies should factor VES into their fleet procurement strategies, particularly as surcharges increase over time.
When budgeting for a vehicle purchase, add the VES surcharge (if applicable) to the quoted price, COE premium, and other registration costs. For vehicles qualifying for rebates, remember that the rebate reduces the ARF component and may be subject to minimum ARF requirements, particularly for non-electric vehicles where the S$5,000 floor applies.
Comparing Vehicle Options
The VES makes comparing vehicles across different emission classes more complex than simply looking at sticker prices. A vehicle with a lower purchase price but higher emissions may end up costing more than a cleaner alternative once VES surcharges are factored in. This is particularly relevant when comparing internal combustion engine vehicles against electric alternatives.
Consider a scenario where Vehicle A costs S$80,000 with a Band C2 classification (S$22,500 surcharge) and Vehicle B costs S$95,000 with a Band A classification (S$22,500 rebate). The effective cost difference is S$45,000 in favour of the cleaner vehicle, not S$15,000 as the base prices suggest. Factor in lower running costs for electric vehicles, and the financial case for cleaner vehicles becomes even stronger.
When comparing vehicles, calculate the total registration cost including VES adjustments. A S$45,000 swing between Band A and Band C2 vehicles significantly changes the value proposition.
Common Emission Levels by Vehicle Type
Fully electric vehicles typically achieve zero tailpipe emissions for HC, CO, NOx, and PM, with CO2 calculated using the emission factor. Most modern EVs consume between 120-200 Wh/km, resulting in calculated CO2 emissions of 48-80 g/km, well within Band A requirements. This makes EVs the only vehicle type guaranteed to receive VES rebates under the 2026 scheme.
Petrol-electric hybrids generally produce 80-120 g/km of CO2, with trace amounts of other pollutants. Depending on the specific model, they typically fall into Band B or C1. Conventional petrol vehicles usually produce 120-200 g/km of CO2, with varying levels of other pollutants that often push them into bands C1 or C2. Diesel vehicles, now banned from new registration since January 2025, historically fell into the higher surcharge bands due to elevated PM and NOx levels.
Understanding the Pollutant Thresholds Table
The VES pollutant thresholds table specifies the maximum emission levels for each band across all five pollutants. Band A requires zero emissions for HC, CO, NOx, and PM, with CO2 capped at 90 g/km. Band B allows slightly higher emissions across all pollutants, with CO2 up to 120 g/km. The surcharge bands (C1, C2, C3) permit progressively higher emissions.
It is important to note that the thresholds are applied independently to each pollutant. A vehicle must meet all thresholds for a given band to qualify for that classification. If even one pollutant exceeds the threshold for a band, the vehicle falls into a lower classification. This comprehensive approach ensures that vehicles cannot achieve favourable VES outcomes by optimising only one or two pollutants whilst neglecting others.
Singapore's Cleaner Vehicle Roadmap
The VES is one component of Singapore's broader strategy to transition to cleaner transportation. Under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the Government aims for all new car and taxi registrations to be cleaner-energy models by 2030. This includes electric vehicles and hybrids, though the VES incentives now focus exclusively on EVs. The ultimate goal is 100% cleaner-energy vehicles on Singapore roads by 2040.
To support this transition, Singapore is rapidly expanding its EV charging infrastructure, with a target of 60,000 charging points by 2030. The Government is also working with private sector partners to ensure charging accessibility across HDB car parks, commercial buildings, and public locations. These infrastructure investments complement the VES and EEAI incentives to make EV ownership increasingly practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The Vehicular Emissions Scheme represents Singapore's commitment to achieving cleaner transportation whilst providing financial incentives that guide consumer choices. Understanding how VES works enables you to make informed vehicle purchasing decisions and accurately budget for registration costs. As the scheme progressively tightens from 2026 onwards, the financial case for electric vehicles becomes increasingly compelling.
Use our Singapore VES Calculator to instantly determine your vehicle's emission band based on its pollutant levels and calculate the applicable rebate or surcharge. Whether you are comparing different vehicle options, budgeting for a purchase, or simply curious about how VES affects various models, this tool provides the clarity you need to navigate Singapore's vehicle emission regulations with confidence.