ERP is one of the most commonly underbudgeted costs in Singapore car ownership. Not because it’s always huge — but because it is route- and time-dependent. Two drivers with identical cars can have very different ERP exposure purely due to commute patterns.
Start here (fast path)
ERP is a variable cost. If your ERP is high, your affordability buffer needs to be higher too. See also parking and fuel.
ERP charges are triggered when you pass specific gantries during chargeable time windows. The practical implication is simple: ERP is not a “car cost” — it is a “route + time” cost.
Use this as a planning band first — then replace it with your real commute pattern.
| Driver pattern | Typical ERP per weekday | Typical ERP per month (22 weekdays) |
|---|---|---|
| No CBD commuting / mostly off-peak | $0–$2 | $0–$44 |
| Occasional peak routes | $2–$6 | $44–$132 |
| Regular peak-hour commuting (multiple gantries) | $6–$12+ | $132–$264+ |
These are budgeting bands, not guarantees. The goal is to avoid the common mistake: assuming ERP is “small” without measuring your route.
The simplest ERP model is: Daily ERP × chargeable days per month. Use 22 weekdays as a baseline if you drive to work daily.
| Scenario | ERP per day | Days / month | Monthly ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| School drop-off + non-CBD work (mixed timing) | $2 | 22 | $44 |
| CBD commute (peak in + peak out) | $8 | 22 | $176 |
| CBD commute + extra trips (meetings / errands) | $12 | 22 | $264 |
If you drive fewer days (hybrid work), use your actual number of chargeable days. This is one reason ERP can drop materially if you reduce peak commutes.
For planning, you don’t need a perfect model. You need a model that is directionally correct and doesn’t lie.
Practical ERP budgeting method
If you’re unsure, pick the higher band for your first month. Underbudgeting is more dangerous than overbudgeting.
ERP is usually not the biggest number in car ownership. But it can be the difference between a plan that is stable vs fragile.
If you are already close to your affordability limit, an extra $150–$250 per month is not “small” — it is the thing that forces you to cut savings, delay bills, or build debt.
If you want the full monthly framework (including depreciation, insurance, maintenance, parking and ERP): True Monthly Cost of Owning a Car (and don’t forget parking).
It depends on route and timing. A useful planning range is roughly $0–$10+ per weekday. Regular peak-hour CBD routes crossing multiple gantries can be higher.
Many drivers can plan around $0–$200 per month depending on usage. Peak-heavy patterns can exceed $200–$300+.
Often much less — but not always. Some routes still cross gantries. The right move is to track your first month and then lock your own baseline.