South Africa’s electric-vehicle market is growing rapidly from a small base. The latest Naamsa figures show battery-electric vehicle sales increasing by more than 228% year on year, but BEVs still account for less than 1% of the local market. The figures point to growing interest in electric mobility, while also highlighting how far South Africa still has to go.
Peter van Binsbergen | image supplied
The question is no longer whether electric vehicles will form part of the country’s transport future, but what is needed to make that transition practical and sustainable at scale.
Infrastructure remains a barrier
One of the biggest challenges is the availability of charging infrastructure. Being able to charge at a shopping centre or other destination may be sufficient for many daily journeys, but a national transition to electric mobility also requires reliable fast-charging infrastructure along major highways.
South Africa has made progress in this area, but infrastructure investment and vehicle adoption remain closely linked. Consumers can be reluctant to buy electric vehicles when they are uncertain about access to charging, while infrastructure providers face a similar challenge when demand remains limited.
This creates a chicken-and-egg situation.
More widespread charging infrastructure would give motorists greater confidence to assess whether an EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) fits their daily and longer-distance travel needs. As the network expands, consumers are better able to understand the practical implications of making the switch.
Infrastructure, however, is only one part of the equation.
Manufacturing can help address affordability
The cost of EVs and PHEVs remains another significant barrier to wider adoption. Local vehicle production could play an important role in addressing some of these challenges while strengthening South Africa’s position within the global automotive value chain.
The country already has a substantial automotive manufacturing base built around export markets. As demand for electric-powered vehicles grows internationally, South Africa has an opportunity to build on this industrial capacity and increase its role in the production of EVs and PHEVs.
Local manufacturing does not automatically make vehicles more affordable, but increased investment and production volumes can contribute to economies of scale, strengthen local supply chains and support the development of skills and supporting industries.
There are also signs that policy is beginning to adapt to this changing automotive landscape. From 1 March 2026, manufacturers investing locally in EV or hydrogen-vehicle production assets can claim a 150% tax deduction for qualifying investments in infrastructure and equipment. Government also plans to include EV battery minerals in its automotive incentive programme, in line with the South African Automotive Master Plan 2035.
These measures can help attract investment, but incentives alone will not determine the pace of electrification. Long-term policy certainty will be equally important for companies making capital-intensive investment decisions.
A transition that reflects local realities
South Africa’s transition to electric mobility will not necessarily follow the same path as that of wealthier markets. Household incomes, electricity supply, charging availability, distances travelled and the structure of the local vehicle market all need to be considered.
This means the transition is unlikely to be about replacing internal-combustion vehicles with battery-electric vehicles overnight. Different powertrain technologies are likely to coexist for some time, with consumers choosing according to their circumstances and mobility requirements.
For manufacturers, this requires flexibility in how vehicles are developed and introduced to the market. For government, it requires policies that recognise the realities of the local market while creating conditions for investment.
Building the conditions for adoption
South Africa has many of the foundations needed to participate meaningfully in the global shift towards new-energy mobility: an established automotive manufacturing industry, engineering expertise, mineral resources and experience in exporting vehicles to international markets.
The challenge is connecting these strengths.
Greater EV adoption can support investment in charging infrastructure. Increased infrastructure can make EV ownership more practical. Local production can strengthen the industrial ecosystem and potentially improve economies of scale, while a growing market can create opportunities for businesses involved in servicing, maintenance and other supporting activities.
But this cycle will not develop on its own.
The transition will require sustained cooperation between government, manufacturers, infrastructure providers, energy companies and other stakeholders. It will also require a policy environment that gives businesses sufficient confidence to make long-term investments.
South Africa does not need to replicate another country's route to electrification. It needs to develop an approach that reflects its own economic, industrial and infrastructure realities.
The foundations are already in place. The next challenge is to turn them into a coordinated strategy that allows electric mobility to become a practical option for a much larger share of South African motorists.
