Electric Cars Coming to South Africa (or Already Here)
Electric cars might not be on the verge of taking over from petrol and diesel vehicles, but they’re steadily gaining popularity.
With cost constraints and very limited options on the market, the move to more sustainable kinds of cars has been slow here in SA. The good news is that a number of models of electric cars are coming to South Africa, or already available.
Growing demand for electric cars
As of March 2019, there were only 867 electric vehicles (EVs) registered in South Africa.
This is a small number. Still, given the relatively short amount of time that electric cars have been available here, it shows definite interest from the public.
According to data from analytics company Lightstone, only 375 electric cars were sold in South Africa in 2018. This means the number of electric cars in South Africa has more than doubled over the last year.
Also, a growing number of EV charging stations is available. The largest installer of these points, GridCars, has installed more than 100 charging points to date. You may even notice your local shopping mall advertising an EV charging point in the parking lot.
Electric cars coming to South Africa
Here are some of the electric cars that are heading to South Africa in the near future and even a few that are already here.
New Nissan Leaf – coming in 2019
Image: Nissan
The first-generation Leaf has been available in South Africa since 2013. In 2019, the New Nissan Leaf is expected to be launched. The Leaf’s 40 kWh lithium-ion battery produces 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque.
Image: Nissan
The new Leaf has a projected range of 400 km and fully charges in 8 hours when using a 6 kW outlet.
With a fast-charging point, an 80% charge can be achieved in about 40 minutes. The price has not been released yet but the current Nissan Leaf costs about R500,000. (For an accurate, current price, it’s best to contact a dealer).
Audi e-tron – coming in 2019
Image: Audi
The e-tron is a full-sized SUV with two electric motors to produce all-wheel drive. The e-tron will accelerate from 0-100 in 5.5 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 200 km/h. The two electric motors produce 300 kW and 560 Nm of torque.
Image: Audi
The e-tron allows for AC and DC charging and boasts fast-charging capabilities at high-speed charging stations.
With 150 kW an 80% charge can be achieved in about half an hour. The range on a full charge is expected to be about 400 km.
Porsche Taycan – coming in 2020
Image: Sunday Times Driving
The all-wheel-drive Porsche Taycan will come in two power variants. The Turbo will produce 500 kW and will go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
The more powerful Turbo S will have 560 kW and can go from 0 to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds.
Image: Sunday Times Driving
The Taycan’s lithium-ion battery runs at 800 volts instead of the industry standard 400. This allows much faster charging.
Porsche claims five minutes of charging with a high-power charging station will give you a 100 km range.
Jaguar I-PACE – available now
Image: Jaguar
The I-PACE features all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors.
The motors generate 294 kW and 696 Nm of torque. This results in a 0 to 100km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Image: Jaguar
Using a high-power charging point, the I-PACE can achieve up to 270 km of range in an hour. A full charge will give it a range of 470 km. Currently, the Jaguar I-PACE starts from R1,672,230.
Mercedes-Benz EQC – coming in 2019
Image: Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz EQC’s twin electric motors will produce 300 kW and a whopping 765 Nm of torque. The EQC will also feature all-wheel drive and have five driving modes for varying performance and range.
Image: Mercedes-Benz
The EQC is expected to have a range of 450km on a full charge. Charging at a high-speed charging point can take the 80 kWh battery’s charge from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes.
BMW iX3 – production starts in 2020
Image: BMW
The predecessor to the iX3, the i3 hatchback, has been on sale in South Africa since 2015.
The iX3 will be BMW’s first fully electric SUV. The concept was first shown in 2018 and production is expected to start in 2020.
Image: BMW
The iX3 has a high-voltage 70 kWh battery that gives the SUV a 400 km or more range on a full charge. When using a 150 kW fast-charging point, a full charge takes approximately 30 minutes.
The iX3 has BMW’s 5th-generation electric drive system which generates 200 kW.
The cost of electric cars
Electric cars are still more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts. This is due in part due to high import duties, along with comparatively low demand.
With continued growth in demand and advances in technology, the price of electronic cars is expected to drop significantly.
What we offer at Pawn My Car
At Pawn My Car, we don’t sell cars or have a financial interest in electric cars coming to South Africa. We do think they’re a good idea for the environment though!
Our business is in offering fast, discreet loans against the value of vehicles, from cars to bakkies, trucks or even boats. For more information, contact us on 086 172 9648 or simply complete and submit our online application form.
