The BMW i5 is an electric executive car, and its yearly costs are high on both road tax and insurance. Few insurers quote it online, and the range of their prices is wide. The one bright spot is the older car, which costs noticeably less to insure.
That is the picture on figures alone. Nothing here covers how the car drives. Insurance prices are examples for one stated driver, as of 1 November 2026.
The range, as listed
The new-car list read on 2026-10-10 shows four i5 versions. The list calls the i5 a luxury car, made in Germany. Prices are as listed that day, including COE:
- i5 Electric eDrive40 81.2 kWh: 335bhp, S$438,888
- i5 Electric eDrive40 M Sport 81.2 kWh: 335bhp, S$451,888
- i5 Touring Electric eDrive40 M Sport 81.2 kWh: 335bhp, S$461,888
- i5 M60 Electric xDrive 81.2 kWh: 603bhp, S$562,888
The Touring and the M60 have their own price pages. This guide uses the i5 price page, which prices the i5 eDrive40 81.2 kWh. The quote form lists three eDrive40 versions, including a Launch Edition.
COE
For an electric car, motor power sets the category. The price page gives the rule:
- Category A for a motor of 110kW (147bhp) or less: S$132,004 in the October 2026 2nd round
- Category B for a more powerful motor: S$131,901 in the same round
Every listed i5 has more power than the Category A limit. The COE page shows later rounds.
Where the road tax lands
Electric cars pay road tax on motor power. LTA's formula gives, before any age surcharge:
- 335bhp (250kW), the eDrive40 versions: S$3,397.90 a year
- 603bhp (450kW), the M60: S$6,525.90 a year
So the M60 pays nearly twice the road tax of the eDrive40. That gap comes round every year.
Over 10 years old, a surcharge is added:
- Over 10 years: +10%
- Over 11 years: +20%
- Over 12 years: +30%
- Over 13 years: +40%
- Over 14 years: +50%
The road tax page covers other motors.
Insurance for the family's main driver
The BMW i5 price page prices a typical main driver:
- Aged 40, married, office job, 10 years' driving
- 50% no-claim discount (NCD), no claims
- Car registered 3 years ago, private use, comprehensive cover
- Repairs at an authorised workshop, no options
For that driver, 3 insurers price it, across four plans:
- S$2,321.89, the lowest, with a S$600 excess
- S$2,378.65, with a S$300 excess
- S$3,370.64, with a S$300 excess
- S$4,392.82, the dearest insurer's price, with a S$2,500 excess
The dearest is S$2,070.93 more than the lowest, or 89% on top. All prices include 9% GST. The page lists 12 insurers with no online price, so 3 of 15 quote it.
The two lowest premiums are close. The second costs a little more but halves the excess. That is worth weighing. If you would struggle to pay S$600 at short notice, the smaller excess may matter more than the premium gap.
Who it suits on cost
A driver with a strong NCD. The standard price relies on 50% NCD. Keep it, and the lowest figure holds.
Someone buying an older car. At 8 years old, the lowest price falls to S$1,908.39, which is S$413.50 less. Four insurers quote it, one more than for a 3-year-old car.
An older driver, within limits. At 65 with 20 years' driving, the lowest price is S$2,537.35. That is S$215.46 more.
Who pays more
A young driver. A driver aged 27 with 3 years' driving and 30% NCD pays from S$4,748.57. That is S$2,426.68 more, a rise of 105%, the biggest on the page.
A driver who has lost the NCD. With no NCD, the lowest price is S$4,539.07, or S$2,217.18 more. With 20% NCD, it is S$3,633.48.
Anyone buying brand new. A new car costs S$2,391.74 to insure, S$69.85 more than the standard price.
Beside other electric cars
The price page compares six electric cars, for the same driver and car age:
- BYD Sealion 7: S$1,390.72
- Tesla Model Y: S$939.71
- BYD Atto 3: S$913.63
- Tesla Model 3: S$913.62
- BYD M6: S$861.41
- Aion V: S$856.84
Their average lowest price is S$979.32. The i5 costs 137% more. All six are cheaper to insure. Other BMW models are on the BMW car insurance page.
Questions to ask yourself
- eDrive40 or M60? The road tax gap is large and repeats every year.
- Who will drive it most? A young main driver roughly doubles the premium.
- Can you charge at home? If not, factor in public charging time and cost.
- What does the battery warranty cover? Ask for how long and on what terms.
- What about parking, ERP and servicing? Those follow your routine, not the car.
Summary of yearly costs we can show
For the BMW i5:
- Road tax, eDrive40 versions: S$3,397.90 a year before any age surcharge (LTA's formula, checked 2026-10-19)
- Road tax, M60: S$6,525.90 a year
- Insurance, standard driver, eDrive40: from S$2,321.89 a year (as of 1 November 2026)
- Insurance, driver aged 27: from S$4,748.57
- Insurance, a car 8 years old: from S$1,908.39
The one-off costs, for reference: from S$438,888 for the eDrive40 to S$562,888 for the M60, as listed on 2026-10-10 including COE.
Before you buy: car insurance for the BMW i5
Before you drive off, get your car insurance through Shenton Brokers. Compare car insurance for the BMW i5 to see today's prices from every insurer we compare and how they change with the driver and the car's age. Or get a quote with your own details.