While often seen as playing catch-up with the developed world, South Africa is quietly positioning itself for a stunning overtaking manoeuvre in the global shift to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). Industry analysts suggest that the same spirit of grassroots innovation that revolutionised mobile communication and banking could see the country leapfrog traditional markets like Europe and the USA in the long-term adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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This potential, according to Linda Cele, Products Head Key Accounts & Partnerships: Fleet Management and Leasing at WesBank, is not merely theoretical; it is already reflected in the sales figures. Despite facing a significant cost hurdle—a 25% import tax on electric vehicles (EVs) compared to 18% for traditional petrol and diesel cars—consumer appetite is surging. Naamsa data reveals that NEV sales more than doubled from 7,746 units in 2023 to an impressive 15,589 in 2024. Growth has continued into 2025, with a 14% year-on-year increase in the first quarter.
Linda Cele, WesBank
Remarkably, this upward trajectory has happened before the introduction of any direct government incentives for consumers, signalling a deep and organic market demand.
The pattern mirrors previous South African success stories. In the early 2000s, the country bypassed conventional, contract-heavy mobile growth by democratising access through pre-paid services and world-first innovations like the ‘Please Call Me’. Similarly, the banking sector’s solutions for the unbanked, such as FNB’s eWallet, placed South Africa at the forefront of mobile money adoption.
“We have a proven history of solving for our unique local challenges with uniquely South African solutions,” she says. “The NEV transition is shaping up to be the next chapter in that story.”
A key government move to fuel this transition is the 150% tax incentive designed to attract EV manufacturers to set up local production. However, even as that policy takes effect, the groundwork for widespread adoption is being laid on two critical fronts: infrastructure and education.
A major hurdle has been ‘range anxiety’—the fear of being stranded with a flat battery. But the reality on the ground is shifting. The national energy grid is showing signs of stabilisation, with the energy availability factor consistently averaging above 60% in recent months. Concurrently, the EV charging network is expanding at a rapid clip, with a 26.3% growth forecast for 2025.
This expansion has resulted in a charge point density of roughly one public charger for every seven EVs—a ratio that, surprisingly, surpasses the global average.
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For the market to truly ignite, particularly among high-volume fleet operators, experts point to the need for a stronger focus on education. The conversation must move beyond the sticker price to the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
“Fleet managers need to see the long-term maths,” adds Cele. “We’re talking drastically lower running costs thanks to cheaper electricity versus petrol, minimal maintenance with no oil changes or exhaust systems, and potentially longer vehicle lifespans. The financial advantage for fleets is substantial.”
By leveraging its innate innovative agility, tackling misconceptions, and highlighting the compelling economics, South Africa is not just hoping to join the electric revolution—it is charting a course to lead it. The journey, it seems, is already well underway.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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