Features / 12 November 2026 / Warren Hawkins

10 cheapest electric cars in South Africa – including one under R330,000

Following the arrival of the Arcfox T1, there are five electric cars (EVs) on sale in South Africa for under R400,000, and ten under R550,000.

This expanded range of affordable electric options is making it easier for local motorists to escape skyrocketing petrol prices.

On top of this, thanks to vehicle information specialists Duoporta, we know that Dongfeng has dropped the price of the entry-level Box models, making it the cheapest EV in South Africa, ahead of the Geely E2.

That said, the E2 is still one of the cheapest EVs in the local market, alongside the BYD Dolphin Surf and the Chery Q.

While these are all budget hatchbacks, the Arcfox T1 is officially marketed as a crossover SUV, meaning its R359,900 price tag makes it the most affordable in its segment.

The T1 is 4,337mm long and 1,860mm wide, with a height of 1,572mm and a wheelbase of 2,770mm, making it significantly larger than other EVs in its price range.

Its 42.3kWh battery is also a bit larger than those of its rivals, although they are hatchbacks, and offer similar ranges of around 300km on the widely accepted WLTP cycle.

Because South Africa’s affordable EV line-up is not that extensive yet, the price differences between the most affordable models are quite pronounced.

For example, the difference between the Dongfeng Box and the Geely E2 is only R10,000, while the difference between the fifth- and sixth-cheapest models is nearly R100,000.

Most EV models on the more affordable end of the range are frugal, boasting energy consumption of between 12kWh/100km and 15kWh/100km, with the iCaur V23 the exception, with an average usage of 20kWh/100km.

The most powerful model in the top 10 is the Jaecoo J5 EV, which produces a significant 155kW and 288Nm, although it is a more premium offering priced at R549,900.

The most affordable EVs on South Africa’s roads

As petrol prices continue to skyrocket, South African motorists are looking for affordable alternatives.

Below is a list of the ten cheapest EVs currently on sale in the local market. Click on their underlined prices for more information about each model.