Electric vehicles look very sexy and appealing, comes with advanced features and are benefitting from strong marketing campaigns. Hardly a day passes without being able to spot another new EV model on the road. Most of them are Chinese brands that we are not familiar with, sparking curiosity, but also suspicion, from a market that grew up on the old faithful brands that our fathers and grand-fathers drove. For a buying generation that’s used to names like Ford, Chevrolet and Mercedes, the new brands are more than mere tongue-twisters – they are a daunting leap into the unknown. The leap is a bit easier going from one internal-combustion brand to another. At least we know the basics of how the thing works. Going to a new a new energy vehicle, like an EV, is a different kettle of fish.
But as more manufacturers introduce EVs to the market (particularly affordable priced models from brands we grew up with), it is expected that sales numbers will continue to increase. According to the 2024 AutoTrader New Energy Vehicle Report, an increasing number of consumers are interested in new energy vehicles, and many intend investing in one. In fact, 74% of survey respondents are looking at purchasing a hybrid as their next vehicle, while 57% are open to the idea of owning a battery-electric vehicle in the coming years. Remarkably, 52% of those surveyed said they hope to make their purchase in the next 36 months.
Considering the wildly fluctuating petrol prices, fuel efficiency remains a top priority for prospective NEV owners, with 60% of respondents citing it as the main advantage. Additionally, 56% of respondents highlighted the importance of lower or zero carbon emissions, and 51% pointed to reduced air pollution as motivating factors. Respondents who have owned an NEV ranked improved fuel efficiency (69%), cheaper running costs (48%), and zero carbon emissions (40%) as their top advantages of NEVs, which is significantly different from the overall survey responses.
However, while improved fuel efficiency remains a major drawcard, expectations around fuel efficiency are high, with 54% of respondents indicating they would only consider purchasing a hybrid if it consumed less than 4L/100 km. While not all hybrids, particularly larger models with bigger engines, can meet this benchmark, they still outperform their non-hybrid counterparts in both fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.
To that end, consumers are happy to purchase an electric vehicle or hybrid, provided it can charge in less than four hours, be it plugged into a public charger or at home. When plugged into a fast charger, the expected time falls to less than an hour, according to 64% of respondents. When it comes to hybrids, 61% of respondents consider 1-4 hours to be an acceptable charging time.
This is an interesting departure from a road-tripping nation that is used to replenishing both fuel and snacks in under 30 minutes, at appropriately space freeway garages. EV manufacturers are aware of this global expectation and have been improving their charging times incrementally over the years. It’s worth noting that several modern electric vehicles offer rapid charging times when plugged into a DC fast charger. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, for instance, can replenish its battery pack from 10-80% in as little as 35 minutes.
Just over a decade ago, South Africans could choose from just two battery-electric vehicles and a handful of hybrids. Things have changed considerably, with consumers now able to select from a myriad of NEV models. This, coupled with growing interest and increasing sales figures, bodes well for the future of the electric vehicle in South Africa.
You will be able to satisfy your curiosity and ask all the questions that’s been on your mind at eFest 2024 – the pre-imminent showcase of all things EVs, Hybrids and more. Come join us at the Killarney Motor Show, on Sunday, 3 November 2024, when car enthusiasts gather to appreciate modified cars, vintage cars, super cars, racing cars, bikes and many demonstrations of spinning, stunt driving, track driving, test driving, and even model cars.
Besides the opportunity to test drive some EVs on the Killarney track, the day is also filled with fun activities for the whole family, such as live bands, food trucks, brand activations, kiddie play parks, samplings, BMX and skate boarding tracks. eFest brings an exciting new dynamic to the Killarney Motor Show, putting electric cars, trucks, buses, tractors, scooters, bikes, drones, inverters, PV solutions, home batteries, next-gen UPSs, cameras, solar energy, automation and general electronic devices at the forefront of the electronic (R)evolution.