The world of motoring is evolving at a breakneck pace, and unless you’ve been living under a rock (or simply ignoring the news in favour of a good old-fashioned road trip), you’ve probably heard about New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). These machines, designed to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, range from mild electrification to full-on battery power. While the rest of the world is sprinting towards electric domination, here in South Africa, things are a little more complicated.
Let’s be honest: pure electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t exactly Adventure Afrika readers’ cup of rooibos. The idea of running out of charge in the middle of the Kgalagadi or having to plan a Karoo road trip around charging stations is enough to induce a mild panic attack. That said, there’s a growing movement towards more practical alternatives, and some of these NEVs actually make sense for South Africans who like to venture beyond the urban sprawl.
The spectrum of NEVs
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
Think of hybrids as the gateway drug to electrification. They still have a petrol or diesel engine, but they also pack an electric motor and battery that gets charged through regenerative braking and the engine itself. The best part? You never have to plug them in. This makes HEVs an attractive option for South Africans who want better fuel efficiency without the hassle of finding a charging point.
A prime example is Toyota’s 48V Hilux, which takes the country’s favourite bakkie and makes it a little bit greener. It still has all the rugged capability you’d expect, but with improved fuel economy and lower emissions. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is another hit, blending the practicality of a compact SUV with hybrid tech. The Tank 300 Hybrid is also an exciting option, proving that hybrids aren’t just for city slickers.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs take things a step further. Like HEVs, they have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, but their batteries can be charged via a plug, giving them a longer electric-only range. The idea is that you can run short daily commutes purely on electricity but still have petrol power for longer trips.
The problem? You still need a charging point to make the most of the electric range. And let’s face it, while urbanites with garages might manage, your average South African with load shedding to contend with probably won’t be thrilled at the idea of an additional device that needs charging.
Still, options like the Volvo XC60 Recharge, BMW X3 30e xDrive, and the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e PHEV make compelling cases for those who want the best of both worlds.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
Now we get to the big one. BEVs are fully electric, meaning no petrol, no diesel, just batteries and an electric motor. They’re whisper-quiet, deliver instant torque, and produce zero tailpipe emissions. They also require charging infrastructure, which remains a sticky point in South Africa.
Sure, city dwellers with access to home charging might manage just fine, but what happens when you want to do a long-distance drive? Even with networks like GridCars expanding, the infrastructure is still patchy at best. Add in load shedding, and the prospect of waiting hours for a charger to come back online doesn’t exactly scream freedom of the open road.
Still, for those committed to the electric lifestyle, options like the BYD Atto 3 and Volvo EX30, offer a glimpse into a cleaner, quieter future – provided you plan your journeys very carefully. Mercedes-Benz has also thrown its hat in the ring with the EQB and EQE SUVs, proving that luxury and electrification can go hand in hand.
The South African NEV landscape
Despite the challenges, NEVs are slowly making inroads in South Africa. Last year saw a significant jump in sales, with NEVs making up 3% of total new vehicle sales – a marked increase from the 1.47% market share in 2023. This suggests that while full electrification remains a tough sell, hybrids and PHEVs are gaining traction.
There are a few key reasons for this shift. Firstly, fuel prices remain unpredictable, making hybrids an appealing option for those looking to save at the pumps. Secondly, as car manufacturers introduce more hybrid models – think Toyota, Lexus, BMW, and GWM – consumers are starting to see them as a viable alternative to traditional petrol or diesel cars.
Another factor is government incentives, or rather, the lack thereof. Unlike other countries where EV buyers get generous rebates, South Africans still face hefty import duties on electric cars, making them significantly more expensive than their ICE counterparts. Until policy changes make EVs more accessible, hybrids will likely remain the most practical choice for many buyers.
The realities of going electric in South Africa
So, is South Africa ready for a full NEV takeover? Not quite. But hybrids, and to some extent PHEVs, make a lot of sense in a country where long distances, dodgy electricity supply, and a love for the great outdoors all play a role in vehicle choice.
For now, the best approach seems to be a gradual transition. If you do a lot of urban driving and have access to home charging, a PHEV might work well. If you want a more rugged, go-anywhere vehicle with better fuel efficiency, a hybrid like the Hilux 48V, Corolla Cross Hybrid, or the GWM P500 could be the answer. And if you’re one of the brave souls willing to fully embrace the EV revolution, just make sure you have a backup plan when the power goes out.
At the end of the day, South Africa’s NEV future will likely be a mix of solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. And while pure EVs might not be topping our wish lists just yet, hybrids and PHEVs offer a practical middle ground that still lets us hit the open road without too much compromise.
The next wave of NEVs
That said, there are some exciting new NEVs on the horizon that might just change our perception of what electric and hybrid vehicles can do. The Jaecoo J6, a plug-in hybrid SUV, promises serious off-road capability with an electric twist. It’s being marketed as an adventure-ready vehicle, which could mean that electrification and overlanding might finally become compatible concepts.
Then there’s the Geely Riddara, another PHEV offering designed to blend efficiency with versatility. With rugged looks and the potential for extended electric-only driving, it could appeal to buyers who want to dip a toe into electrification without giving up their ability to tackle a gravel road.
Whether these new models will convince traditional adventure lovers to embrace electrification remains to be seen. But if they can combine the range and reliability we need for South African conditions with the benefits of electric power, they might just make us rethink what an NEV is capable of. For now, we’ll keep our diesel bakkies and our long-range tanks … but we’ll also keep an eye on the NEV space, just in case something truly adventure-worthy comes along.
