The cheapest electric car costs almost R100,000 less than the cheapest hybrid in South Africa.
Hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) fall under the broader category of new-energy vehicles, which refers to cars that feature powertrains that deviate from the typical petrol or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) setup.
NEVs are still a relatively new phenomenon in the grand scheme of the automotive industry, which means the technology is still largely gate-kept behind high price tags.
While the first wave of EVs to reach South Africa all came from premium marques, such as the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron, or Jaguar I-Pace, the last two years have seen the introduction of new models from other brands that have helped to bring prices down to much more affordable levels.
However, South Africa is fairly unusual in that the most affordable NEVs on the market right now are fully-electric rather than hybrids, which goes against industry norms given that hybrids are generally seen as the cheaper alternative.
The most common type of NEV is the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which, for the most part, functions like an ordinary car with an ICE engine.
While the exact design varies between manufacturers, a HEV typically incorporates a small battery and electric motor into the drivetrain, which helps to improve efficiency when driving at low speeds.
Crucially, HEVs (sometimes referred to as traditional hybrids), are not capable of full-electric driving, as the battery is too small and the e-motor is not powerful enough to move the car by itself at all times.
The trade-off is that HEVs are relatively affordable, since the hybrid assistance is essentially tacked on to a regular petrol engine.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) take the concept a step further with a much larger battery and one or more powerful e-motors that assist the engine.
They are capable of full-electric driving for distances up to around 100km, and still have a petrol engine with a fuel tank for longer trips.
PHEVs ostensibly offer the best of both worlds when it comes to new-energy vehicles, but the catch is that they are generally very expensive, since you are paying for a car with two powertrains.
This is the general trend for the three major NEVs – HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs – but over the last year, South Africa has received multiple new models that have helped to challenge perceptions about their affordability
NEVs are more affordable than ever
Right now, the most affordable EV in South Africa is the BYD Dolphin Surf, which costs R341,900.
This makes it cheaper than a VW Polo hatchback, which is impressive when you consider that it wasn’t that long ago that the “cheapest” EVs cost twice as much, if not more.
Back in 2022, you would have needed over R700,000 to purchase something like the Mini Cooper SE, putting them out of reach for most households.
However, EV starting prices have finally dropped to a point that can realistically be described as mass-market.
The Surf is also notable in that it is R98,000 less than the country’s cheapest HEV – the R439,900 Chery Tiggo Cross CSH (Chery Super Hybrid).
What’s more, the country’s third-most-affordable NEV is also an electric car.
The Dongfeng Box, which made its debut last year, has a starting price of R459,000, which is less than the second cheapest hybrid, the R469,900 MG3.
All four of these models are cheaper than the R494,400 Toyota Corolla Cross, which previously held the title of South Africa’s cheapest NEV.
Plug-in hybrids have also become much more affordable, as BYD launched the Sealion 5 in 2025.
The Sealion is only R5,500 more expensive than the Corolla Cross HEV, which is significant given that the former has a much more advanced drivetrain.
These are the six cheapest NEVs in South Africa as of Q1 2026:
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