Yes the sad fact is that none of the cheaper EVs are available in South Africa so there is nothing for the mainstream buyer to consider. The chief reason why a cheaper EV model comes onto the market is for a cheaper price advantage. SA has the unique position of actively discouraging EV takeup with a heavy additional tax charged.
"Whilst petrol and diesel vehicles from the EU have a customs duty of 18 percent in South Africa, for electric vehicles the duty is 25 percent in South Africa! Then there is the Ad Valorem Customs Excise Duties and VAT".
But finally the SA government is waking up to the fact that the local assembly market for exports of ICE vehicles is going to be drying up, so now there is movement to comment on a draft paper to change incentives.
Even the imminent launch of the VW ID.4 will be at a disadvantage in this market. Once Hyundai, Kia and some of the Chinese BEV’s launch here it will signal the viability of more affordable BEV’s in SA.
See Full Electric Vehicle Registrations Overtake Plugin Hybrids In South Africa
About a year ago we wrote the article “Electric Vehicles in South Africa: Where Are We Now?,” which gave a view on the state of the electric vehicle market in South Africa. One year later we want to give an update on the progress since then. Whilst there has been slow and steady progress in the […]