At Firstlane, we know no one understands the road better than you — the driver. That’s why we’re starting a new series where fellow PHV drivers share their real-life stories and experiences.
First up, meet Ken. 5 years on the road, countless cars driven — and a fuel bill that tells a story of its own. (We paid him in 2 egg prata, 1 teh tarik. No regrets.)
Meet Ken – 5 Years on the Road
Hi, I’m Ken. Been driving full-time with Grab (and sometimes Gojek) since 2020. Over the years, I’ve driven a bunch of different cars — some drink petrol like it is free, some feels like they are on a diet.
I’m here to talk only about fuel costs. No fluff. Just what I experienced driving 7,500km/month for years.
Cars I’ve Driven (And What I Think of Them)
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Subaru Forester (Petrol)
Big and comfy, but wah, fuel consumption sibei jialat. One week at least two full tanks — pain. -
Honda Shuttle (Petrol)
Slightly better. Not much power, but better than Forester on petrol. -
Honda Vezel (Petrol)
Feels about the same as Shuttle in terms of fuel. Comfortable, but still pumping often. -
Toyota Sienta Hybrid (2023)
Fuel-saving yes, but tank quite small, go JB also can’t pump much petrol. Cannot even song. -
Toyota Prius Hybrid
The fuel-saving legend. No complaints, just keeps going. -
Hyundai Kona EV
My current ride. Petrol? What’s that? Haven’t stepped into SPC for months.
My Actual Monthly Fuel/Charging Costs
| Vehicle Type | Monthly Cost (7,500km/month) |
|---|---|
| Petrol | ~$1,343.75 |
| Hybrid | ~$806.25 |
| EV | ~$294.64 |
Just from fuel alone, EV saves me over $1,049 a month. Even hybrid saved me 40% compared to petrol.
Assumptions (Before You Come and Flame Me)
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Petrol price: $2.15/litre (after discount)
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EV charging: $0.55/kWh (DC fast charging)
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Driving distance: 7,500km/month
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I’m comparing only fuel cost — not rental or maintenance
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Different car models may give different results (Jazz ≠ Forester). I use 12km/litre for petrol, 20km/litre for hybrid, 14km per kWh for EV. Use average for calculation purposes.
⚠️ Things to Consider Before You Switch
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EV rental is more expensive — might eat into your fuel savings
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No home charger? You’ll be sitting in your car scrolling dancing TikTok videos while charging
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Plan your routes — don’t end up queuing at charging points every other day
✅ My Takeaway (In Driver Speak)
| Car Type | Worth It? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | ❌ | Unless you part-time only or no choice |
| Hybrid | Safe option for full-timers, good fuel savings | |
| EV | Best if you can manage charging and rental |
For me now, EV all the way. Silent, smooth, low cost and the pick-up is so shiok. Just need to settle the charging routine.
Final Words
If you’re driving long hours and haven’t tried a hybrid or EV — you’re losing money. Try it for a month, monitor your spending, then decide. I’m not advocating for EV, must see if it suit your driving usage and makes sense.
Oh, and thanks to Firstlane for the 2 egg prata and teh tarik. Next time maybe nasi briyani?
Written by Ken – 5-year PHV driver, prata lover, and petrol survivor
