SINGAPORE – The latest Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise on 3 September 2025 saw premiums climbing across most categories, with Category A reaching a new all-time high of $107,889. This marks a 3.2 per cent jump from the previous $104,524, setting yet another record for smaller and less powerful cars, including electric vehicles (EVs).
This surge surpasses the earlier peak of $106,000 recorded in October 2023, highlighting the persistent demand for cars despite rising ownership costs. The higher prices are expected to place additional pressure on buyers, especially first-time car owners and families considering EV adoption.
Industry watchers note that the sustained appetite for cars, coupled with limited quota supply, has been the main driver of these rising premiums. Motor dealers expect showroom traffic to remain high in the coming weeks as buyers rush to secure their vehicles before the next tender closes on 17 September.
Category B and Open Category Edge Higher
For Category B, which applies to larger and more powerful cars, the COE premium climbed to $127,501, up 2.5 per cent from $124,400 at the last exercise. This is the third straight increase and the highest level since December 2023, when premiums stood at $130,100.
The Open Category (Category E), often used for luxury cars and powerful EVs, also rose to $127,901 – 2.3 per cent higher than $125,001 two weeks ago. Dealers said the increase reflects strong demand from buyers who use Category E to top up their chances of getting bigger models.
With both Categories B and E now nearing historical highs, analysts say high-end car buyers may face further upward adjustments in coming tenders, especially with more premium EV models entering the market.
Commercial Vehicles Dip While Motorcycles Climb
In contrast, Category C COEs for goods vehicles and buses saw a slight dip, closing at $71,556, down 0.9 per cent from $72,190 previously. Industry observers believe the dip was due to stabilised fleet renewals and weaker demand from logistics operators after earlier surges.
Meanwhile, Category D COEs for motorcycles rose to $9,101, a 3.3 per cent increase from $8,809. With motorbikes remaining a cost-effective alternative to cars, demand continues to climb, particularly among younger riders and delivery workers.
As Singapore moves towards cleaner transport and tighter quota policies, COE premiums across most categories are expected to remain volatile. Car ownership costs are unlikely to ease in the near term, making alternatives like car leasing, car-sharing services, and public transport more attractive for households.