NEW cars will be fitted with second-generation electronic road-pricing readers from Tuesday - nine months after they were first available for motorcycles.

The new readers allow motorists the option of using cards which comply with Singapore's contactless e-purse application (Cepas) - such as the new ez-link transit card.

But motorists are likely to stick with the current Nets CashCard for their cars. This is because most carparks with electronic payment systems have not been converted to read Cepas-compliant cards.

The Land Transport Authority on Monday said such carparks will be converted 'progressively' to read Cepas cards from October.

Existing car owners do not have to change the new generation ERP readers. But if they wish to, they can do so - at $150 each.

They can do so at LTA authorised vehicle inspection centres.

Since the introduction of the new ERP readers last September, more than 17,300 vehicles have been fitted with it. They comprise mostly of motorcycles.

For enquiries on the new ERP readers, motorists may call LTA on 1800-225-5582.