Singapore: Tesla launches a Model Y with 148 horsepower

For tax reasons, Tesla is reproducing in Singapore the success of the Model 3 110 with a less powerful version of the new Model Y.

Is this the future Tesla Model Y affordable version that the American manufacturer wants to quickly market in China to boost its sales? Due to very favorable — or at least less punitive — taxation for cars under 150 horsepower, Tesla has just launched a 110 kW (148 hp) version of its electric SUV in Singapore.

As a reminder, the Model Y Propulsion version has 255 kW, more than double the power! This is immediately reflected in acceleration, with 0 to 100 km/h achieved in 9.6 seconds, compared to 5.9 seconds for the standard version.

Oddly, the dramatic drop in power does not come with an increase in range. In Singapore, the range of the Propulsion version is 466 km (compared to 500 km in France). And the 110 kW version also remains at 466 km. Which is most likely inaccurate, with a good surprise for the customer.

Why does Singapore Punish Power?

Tesla is not the pioneer in producing a version specific to the Singaporean market. Other manufacturers are adapting to ecological considerations, and the Model 3 110 was already launched in 2024 with real success.

This “110” designation refers to a maximum power of 110 kW (148 horsepower) for these vehicles. This initiative aims to align vehicles with the requirements of Singapore’s Category A of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE), allowing buyers to benefit from reduced registration costs.

In Singapore, purchasing a vehicle requires obtaining a COE, a certificate that authorizes the possession and use of a vehicle for a period of 10 years. COEs are categorized into different classes, including:

• Category A: passenger vehicles with a maximum engine power not exceeding 110 kW (148 horsepower).​
• Category B: passenger vehicles with an engine power over 110 kW.​

In the case of the Tesla Model Y, the 110 version is sold for 76,090 Singapore dollars, approximately 52,430 euros… before the COE purchase. So, the final price jumps to 103,476 Singapore dollars, approximately 71,300 euros. That’s quite painful.

For the standard Tesla Model Y Propulsion, the catalog price is slightly higher at 76,590 Singapore dollars, or about 52,800 euros. And with the COE tax, the price rises to 106,502 Singapore dollars, or roughly 73,400 euros. A modest saving of around 2,100 euros. For the Model 3, the savings between the 110 version and the Propulsion are much greater — about 9,000 euros.

And you, which version would you choose?

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