Your Atome or Grab limit is only $800, but the e-bike you want is $1,499. That is the real reason most riders stall at checkout. At Maximal, we solve this daily with a simple move. We finance only the part your app can cover, then you top up the balance with PayNow or cash. You ride home today without needing a huge credit line.
We will break down the main installment options in Singapore, the real fees people miss, and the LTA rules you must meet before you spend a cent.
What are the e-bike installment options available in Singapore?
In Singapore, e-bike installments usually come in four forms. BNPL apps like Atome and Grab PayLater split payments into short tenures, often with 0% interest if you pay on time. Credit card installments usually offer 6 or 12 months at 0% interest but may charge a one time processing fee. Longer plans like Fundbox can run up to 24 months and usually include interest.
The installment menu we see working best for Singapore riders
Here is the practical lineup we use most often at Maximal, based on what riders actually qualify for and what keeps monthly payments predictable.
| Option | Typical tenure | “0%” headline, what it really means | Common gotcha to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atome | 3 or 6 months | Pay in 3 has no processing fee. Pay in 6 can include a processing fee. | Late fees apply if you miss a bill. ([Atome][2]) |
| Grab PayLater | Commonly used as 4 months. Also offers longer tenures in app | Can be interest free for some tenures. Grab notes processing fees can apply for some installment choices. | Late admin fees apply if you miss payment. ([Grab][3]) |
| Credit card installment | 6 or 12 months | Often marketed as 0% interest | One time processing fee is common. We see roughly 3% to 5% as a typical range, varies by bank and promo. |
| Fundbox style longer financing | 6 to 24 months | Not interest free | Interest applies and the approved amount and total payable depend on the app quote. |
How much will I pay per month? Real examples using Maximal X16 and X20 prices
Most “installment guides” skip the only math that matters. Your monthly. Plus any fee that changes your true total.
Model A: Maximal X16, compact and foldable
On Maximal.sg, the X16 is listed from $1,369 to $1,849 depending on configuration. ([maximal.sg][4])
Example 1: Grab PayLater, 4 months
If you finance $1,369 over 4 months, that is about $342.25 per month. This matches the monthly figure shown on the X16 product page. ([maximal.sg][4])
Example 2: Credit card, 12 months
If you split $1,369 over 12 months, that is about $114.10 per month before any card processing fee. If your bank charges a one time 4% fee, your effective total becomes about $1,423.76, which is about $118.65 per month in “true cost” terms.
Model B: Maximal X20, the 20 inch workhorse
On Maximal.sg, the X20 is listed from $1,389 to $1,869 depending on configuration. ([maximal.sg][5])
Example 1: Atome, 3 months
If you split $1,389 into 3, it is about $463 per month, which is the number many riders use because it is simple and fast. ([maximal.sg][6])
Example 2: Fundbox, 24 months
If your approved plan works out to around $79 per month, your total paid depends on the interest shown in app at approval. Use this option when monthly cash flow matters more than total cost.
The real blocker in Singapore: approval worry and credit limits
We hear the same fear daily from delivery riders, students, and first job commuters.
Fear: “My limit cannot cover a $1,500 e-bike.”
Atome itself notes many new users sit around $1,000 as a general guideline, and higher limits are more common with linked credit cards. ([Atome][7])
Our Maximal fix: Hybrid Payment
If your Grab or Atome limit is $800, we finance $800. You pay the remaining balance by PayNow, cash, or card. You still get the bike today. You also avoid the stress of trying to “increase limit” just to make a single purchase.
In our experience, this is why our BNPL approval success sits around 8 out of 10, assuming you have a clean payment history inside the app.
LTA rules you must meet before you buy an e-bike on installment
Installments make buying easier. They do not protect you from fines if your device is not compliant.
Here is the quick compliance checklist we use at Maximal for every rider.
Your e-bike must qualify as a PAB and be approved, sealed, and registered
LTA’s OneMotoring states that to use a Power Assisted Bicycle (PAB) in Singapore, it must be type approved, sealed, and registered with a number plate. ([onemotoring.lta.gov.sg][8])
Key device requirements include:
- Motor assistance must cut off as you reach 25 km/h or when you stop pedalling. ([onemotoring.lta.gov.sg][8])
- Maximum continuous power output must not exceed 250W. ([onemotoring.lta.gov.sg][8])
- Maximum unladen weight must not exceed 20 kg. ([Land Transport Authority][9])
- PABs must comply with EN15194 and must carry the LTA seal. ([Land Transport Authority][9])
You must pass the mandatory theory test and meet the minimum age
LTA materials state you need a PAB Theory Test Certificate to ride a PAB, and the minimum age is 16. ([Land Transport Authority][10])
Singapore Polytechnic’s course page also confirms the test is mandatory and enforces the age requirement at registration. ([SP][11])
Maximal tip: Treat this like buying a helmet. Do it early. Do not wait until the bike is delivered.
BNPL in Singapore: what “responsible” looks like in 2026
If you are using Atome or Grab PayLater, you are part of Singapore’s BNPL ecosystem, which now has a Code of Conduct backed by industry and referenced by MAS.
MAS noted that BNPL providers in Singapore committed to the BNPL Code of Conduct, and that providers have been independently assessed and accredited to be in compliance since May 2024. ([Monetary Authority of Singapore][12])
The BNPL Code includes consumer safeguards like limiting BNPL services to customers aged 18 and above. ([singaporefintech.org][13])
What this means for you as a buyer:
If you are under 18, expect BNPL to fail. If you are over 18, your approval still depends on app history, verification, and internal scoring.
Hidden costs people miss, and how to spot them fast
1. Processing fees on “0% interest” plans
Atome states Pay in 3 has no processing fee, while Pay in 6 can include a 3% one time processing fee. ([Atome][14])
Grab PayLater states it can offer 4, 8, or 12 installments, and notes a processing fee can apply for some installment choices. ([Grab][3])
Maximal habit: Before you tap confirm, look for “processing fee” and “admin fee” inside the checkout breakdown. If you do not see the total payable, do not proceed.
2. Late fees that snowball
Atome’s help centre states late payment admin fees can apply and accounts can be suspended after failed auto deduction. ([Atome][2])
Rule of thumb we give riders: If your income is weekly, set your BNPL due date buffer to at least 7 days. Never run your bank balance to zero the day before a due date.
Eligibility checklist for e-bike installment approval
Use this as your pre checkout checklist.
- Age 18+ for BNPL products in practice. ([singaporefintech.org][13])
- Fully verified account in the app you are using.
- Sufficient limit to cover the financed portion.
- Stable payment method linked, with enough buffer.
- For longer financing options, be ready for proof of income and residency because some providers request it.
Where to shop on Maximal.sg
Start here:
- Maximal X16 product page: https://maximal.sg/shop/lta-approved-e-bike-ebike-electric-bicycle/ebike-x16/ ([maximal.sg][4])
- Maximal X20 product page: https://maximal.sg/shop/lta-approved-e-bike-ebike-electric-bicycle/electric-bike-x20/ ([maximal.sg][5])
- Maximal FAQ including PayLater eligibility steps: https://maximal.sg/faq/ ([maximal.sg][1])
FAQ: e-bike installments in Singapore
Can I buy an LTA approved e-bike on installment if my BNPL limit is low?
Yes. Use Hybrid Payment. Finance only what your limit covers, then top up the balance with PayNow, cash, or card.
Do I need to pass the PAB theory test before buying?
You can buy first, but you must pass the mandatory theory test before riding on paths and roads. LTA has required a mandatory online theory test for PAB riders since January 1, 2022. ([Land Transport Authority][15])
Is “0% interest” always truly free?
Not always. Some plans add processing fees, and late fees can apply if you miss a payment. Check the total payable at checkout. ([Atome][14])
What is the minimum age to ride an e-bike in Singapore?
LTA guidance states the minimum age for riding a PAB is 16. ([Land Transport Authority][10])
What makes an e-bike legal as a PAB in Singapore?
It must be type approved, sealed, and registered, and meet the key device criteria including 250W max continuous power, motor cut off at 25 km/h, and 20 kg max unladen weight. ([onemotoring.lta.gov.sg][8])
Need help choosing the right installment option?
If you are not sure which plan fits your monthly budget, or your Atome or Grab limit is not enough, reach out to Maximal and we will help you map the simplest path.
Tell us three things and we will recommend the lowest friction option:
- The model you want (X16 or X20)
- Your preferred monthly budget
- Which payment method you want to use (Atome, Grab PayLater, credit card, or Fundbox)
You can start from these pages and message us from there:
- Maximal X16: https://maximal.sg/shop/lta-approved-e-bike-ebike-electric-bicycle/ebike-x16/
- Maximal X20: https://maximal.sg/shop/lta-approved-e-bike-ebike-electric-bicycle/electric-bike-x20/
- Maximal FAQ: https://maximal.sg/faq/
We will walk you through Hybrid Payment if your limit is short, confirm the full cost before you commit, and make sure your bike is LTA compliant before you
