South Africa’s Used EV Market Accelerates – Volvo EX30 & XC40 Most Fashionable

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South Africa’s EV market continues to be fairly small in comparison with related markets. There are nonetheless simply over 4,000 absolutely electrical automobiles on the roads in South Africa. That’s as a result of a lot of the BEVs that have been obtainable on the South African market have been on the upper aspect of issues when it comes to car section, and finally the asking worth when new. That meant loads of South Africans have been priced out of the EV market. AutoTrader South Africa, in collaboration with Smarter Mobility Africa, did a survey a few years in the past and located that 64% of respondents said that they might buy an electrical car throughout the subsequent 5 years. 72% of customers are keen to spend as much as R600,000 ($34,000) on an EV. For a very long time, there have been now model new BEVs in the marketplace that have been lower than R600,000). 

South Africa’s electrical car marketplace for model new automobiles is quietly gaining traction now as extra fashions at the moment are obtainable in the marketplace, in addition to a few superb choices now priced underneath the magic threshold of R600,000. A rising pool of car fashions on the model new car gross sales market is sweet for the overall client as these automobiles feed the used car market. Now we have some information from Autotrader SA and the newest information suggests the EV market is starting to maneuver past early adopters. In accordance with AutoTrader’s 2025 Mid-12 months Business Report, gross sales of battery-electric automobiles within the first half of the 12 months elevated by 65% year-on-year, a robust sign that native patrons have gotten extra comfy with electrical mobility.

The expansion just isn’t unfold evenly throughout the market. Premium fashions at the moment dominate, with Volvo’s EX30 and XC40 Recharge taking the highest two spots in used EV gross sales. Within the first half of 2025, 64 EX30s and 45 XC40 Recharges have been bought, reflecting not solely model attraction but in addition the forms of automobiles early EV patrons are selecting — compact, dependable, and sensible for each day use. The report additionally reveals that  whereas the GWM Ora 03 was essentially the most ceaselessly listed EV on AutoTrader, it solely ranked seventh in precise gross sales throughout the first half of 2025. This highlights a key distinction out there: availability doesn’t robotically translate to adoption, with patrons prioritizing components like perceived reliability, model familiarity, and practicality. Nice Wall Motors’ Ora model is comparatively new in South Africa and most patrons wouldn’t but be properly acquainted with it. Nice Wall Motors’ Haval model is doing fairly properly in South Africa with its choice of ICE, HEVs, and PHEVs. Ought to GWM rebrand its Ora automobiles to Haval in South Africa? It could possibly be one thing to attempt as Haval is now a family title within the South African market. 

Established manufacturers appear to be rising curiosity in EVs and main the gross sales charts. Within the first 4 months of 2025, Volvo Automotive South Africa (VCSA) reported 114 EVs bought, with the EX30 once more main the best way. New fashions, such because the EX90 and EX30 Cross Nation, and upcoming variants, such because the ES90 and EX60, are anticipated to develop alternative and assist maintain progress. To this point, the Swedish model’s success reveals that familiarity, reliability, and practicality nonetheless matter most as South Africans begin to embrace electrical mobility on their very own phrases. I’ve truly pushed the EX90 SUV on the Western Cape’s lovely roads. It was such a pleasing drive. Ryan Jarret took the Volvo EX30 on a 3,000km spherical journey from Johannesburg to Simola Hillclimb and was fairly happy with it and may perceive why it’s the preferred car on these charts. 

Extra inexpensive choices at the moment are obtainable on the South African market and at the moment are beginning to broaden entry, making EV possession attainable for a wider cross part of South Africans. The not too long ago launched BYD Dolphin Surf, for instance, has a beginning worth of R339,900, bringing electrical motoring inside attain of many first-time EV patrons. This implies the South African market is lastly getting into a section the place EVs are not a distinct segment class however a sensible different for on a regular basis drivers. In a few years, when fashions such because the Dolphin Surf additionally enter the used car market, they are going to open up entry to electrical mobility to much more South Africans. Early profession professionals, new graduates, faculty college students, and others will now even be able to get their first EV.

AutoTrader South Africa provides that charging infrastructure can also be rising in South Africa. Infrastructure, lengthy seen as a barrier to adoption, is lastly beginning to catch up. Current stories point out over 500 public charging factors can be found throughout South Africa, concentrated in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Non-public operators, akin to Zero Carbon Cost, have been increasing networks alongside key corridors, and off-grid solar-powered websites are starting to look, addressing some practicality issues. Analysts consider that the tempo of infrastructure improvement shall be vital in sustaining the momentum mirrored in new and used gross sales information. Cost level operators are additionally reporting elevated utilization on their networks, which can assist their trigger and likewise assist appeal to funding into the sector.

“The rising curiosity in compact EVs reveals that South African patrons are prioritising practicality and reliability of their selections, quite than automobiles geared toward area of interest markets,” mentioned Grant Locke, Managing Director of VCSA. “As infrastructure and mannequin availability proceed to develop, we count on this section to draw a fair wider vary of drivers within the coming years.”

AutoTrader South Africa provides that total, the primary half of 2025 means that the nation’s EV market is evolving alongside predictable strains: early adopters stay targeted on premium fashions, infrastructure is enhancing, and extra inexpensive choices are beginning to open the door to broader adoption. Volvo’s sturdy gross sales illustrate how premium manufacturers are at the moment shaping the South African EV market.

With infrastructure progressively enhancing and a wider vary of EVs getting into the market, South Africa seems poised to maneuver past high-end EV adoption. I stay up for how the market performs within the final couple of months of the 12 months, and likewise to see how the market evolves in 2026 and past.