Power struggle: Is the SA EV market growing?

Power struggle: Is the SA EV market growing? 

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The world of automobiles as we experience it today has come a long way. There was a time when starting a car required elbow grease and caution with hand cranks. Then came the key-in-starter method, a simple twist-and-turn method, and today we only have to press a button with the push-button system, which has become the rule rather than the exception.‍

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This steady progress has not only changed the way that we start cars but also, and more relevant to this article, what powers them—from the internal combustion engine, once seen as an engineering marvel, to what has become a discussion today, electrification.\

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Electric cars have been one of the most significant technological shifts in the automotive sector, and though it may seem like a modern innovation, its history dates back to the early 19th century. Between the years 1832 and 1839, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson built the first-ever electric vehicle (EV), known as the Electric Carriage. It had one major problem, though: it relied on non-rechargeable primary batteries, and that limited its driving range and, naturally, its practicality.

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Fast-forward to the 1970s, and the Enfield 8000 looked like the solution to public adoption. In the end, only 120 units of this 2-seater electric car were built in the United Kingdom, featuring a 6kW motor powered by lead-acid batteries. With a top speed of just 77km/h and a range of 64km, the Enfield 8000 was far from the acceleration and performance of today’s EVs, but it was an important stepping stone in the global journey towards electric mobility.

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Today, EVs have evolved to become some of the most fascinating pieces of machinery, and they are not only fast, but they can reach supercar speeds…silently.

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This shift toward electrification is being driven by stricter emissions regulations worldwide. For instance, Europe wants to eliminate the combustion engine by the year 2035, while countries like South Korea plan to refuse new registrations of ICE-powered vehicles, including hybrids, by the same year. As more countries commit to phasing out fossil-fuel-powered cars, SA hasn’t implemented a ban on ICE-powered vehicles. However, the country is considering policy reforms to transition to EVs and reduce carbon emissions, but the question is, is the SA EV market growing at a pace rapid enough to justify this? While challenges such as infrastructure, affordability, and energy supply persist, the momentum toward electrification is undeniable.

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Infrastructure

EV infrastructure in SA may be steadily showing an element of expansion, but it's nowhere near extensive enough to permanently eliminate range anxiety. That said, it’s encouraging to see manufacturers stepping up to establish charging stations at major dealerships across the nation, making it more convenient for owners to charge their vehicles.

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Brands like BMW and Audi are working to enhance home charging accessibility, with BMW offering a comprehensive home charging package that includes hardware, professional installation, and setup, ensuring a seamless transition to EVs. Audi also provides home charging solutions with its EVs, supplying the necessary cables and installation services to simplify the process for owners.

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On the other hand, companies such as GridCars and Rubicon have been instrumental in developing the country’s EV infrastructure at large by installing and managing public charging stations across SA, particularly along major routes, urban areas, shopping centres, and business parks. For example, GridCars has established a network of charging stations along several major highways, including the N1, N2, and N3, thus making long-distance EV travel more convenient. These are complemented by a growing number of charging stations in major cities, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, ensuring that EV owners have reliable access to charging both on the road and in urban areas.

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Affordability

Another big challenge that makes SA feel unprepared for EV adoption is affordability. As of now, the most affordable electric car in South Africa is the GWM ORA, which starts at R686,950 and is still out of reach for the majority of consumers looking to own an EV. In the UK, for one, the most affordable EV is the Renault Kwid-based Dacia Spring, which sells for the equivalent of R350,000. In China, that’d be the Wuling Hongguang EV, which sells for less than R100,000.

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For EVs to truly get embraced in SA, they need to be priced lower and made accessible to the average customer. Until then, widespread adoption will remain a challenge, and many locals will stick to traditional petrol and diesel cars simply because they’re the more affordable option. Why are they so expensive? The government imposes exorbitant import taxes without providing any rebates or incentives, and this cost bloating is further compounded by a lack of local manufacturing.

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Until such time that the government shifts its policies, the adoption rates of EVs will remain glacially slow.

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Load shedding 

As I write this, the Minister of Electricity and Energy has just announced the return of load shedding after almost 10 months of no outages. This is a continuous challenge that deters EV ownership, with frequent power outages adding another challenge to the reliable charging concerns of EV owners. It’s a justified concern. If the grid can’t reliably keep the lights on, what of a road network of battery-operated vehicles?

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Another factor is public perception. The first question potential EV owners ask is, “Where to charge during load shedding?” A valid question, and one of the primary reasons many South Africans aren’t ready to make the switch from internal combustion to electric just yet. Until there is more stability in the power grid, this issue will continue to be a barrier to wider EV adoption in SA.

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‍Is the SA EV market growing?

Coming back to the big question, is the SA EV market growing? The simple answer is yes; it is slowly. In fact, in 2024, 1,257 EVs were sold locally, representing a 35% increase compared to 931 units sold in 2023. This steady growth shows that the adoption of EVs is gaining momentum, but we’re still a long way from full-scale adoption. That being said, while the EV market is on the upswing, the country still has some important issues to address before it can fully embrace electric mobility. For now, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are better suited for the local market. These vehicles offer the best of both worlds, fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, without completely relying on the shaky South African power infrastructure. Plus, they tend to be more affordable than fully electric cars, making them a more practical choice for many locals at this stage.

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