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Lee Nian Tjoe

Senior Transport Correspondent

Nian Tjoe’s first article was published in 1999. He was with SPH Magazines for eight years, before working for 11 years in communications. He joined The Straits Times in 2022 as a senior transport correspondent. When he is not pounding the streets – walking, cycling or riding, aboard a bus or train, or behind the wheel – Nian Tjoe puts together the Motoring section of the newspaper and hosts a podcast on transport issues.

Latest articles

BlueSG team recruits users to test new car-sharing service ahead of launch later in 2026

Flexar is a new point-to-point car sharing service by the owners of BlueSG.

Heart on Wheels, Lego Model T, VW’s 2-millionth EV, BMW humanoid

Heart On Wheels is looking to collect 28,000 food items for communities in need on March 7 and 8.

COE prices up across all categories, Cat B up 8.6% to $114,002

The rise in Category B COE premium comes after two rounds of dips.

Two of four EV fires in 2025 involved high-voltage batteries: SCDF

0218 [Electric Vehicle Fire along BKE]
On 17 February 2025 at about 9:20pm, SCDF was alerted to a car fire along BKE towards Woodlands near Dairy Farm Road exit.

Concerns over 100 per cent borrowing for vehicles as outstanding car loans hit 12-year high

Figures obtained by ST showed that households in Singapore had outstanding motor vehicle loans of around $12.4 billion by the end of 2025.

1,300 Toyota Prius units recalled in S’pore over rear doors that could open while car is moving

Affected cars will have their electric door circuits modified.

Stamford Tyres partners Pirelli, Audi unveils hybrid super-wagon, Xpeng G6 available as Cat A COE

ntfast27 - Stamford Tyres opens its first Pirelli-branded collaborative store in Singapore. 

CREDIT: STAMFORD TYRES

K-pop idol-style makeover helps SsangYong’s first EV stand out

KGM's Torres EVX marks the relaunch of South Korean brand Ssangyong for the EV age.

Can an ‘old’ EV survive a COE renewal?

Long service life is particularly important as the car population in Singapore is expected to age in the coming years.

Why did the Cat A COE premium exceed Cat B’s in the latest tender?

Developments in EV technology and the effectiveness of measures to encourage consumers to switch away from non-electric cars have driven up the price of Cat A COEs.