News / 6 June 2023 / Albert du Toit

EVA “affordable” electric cars and scooters now available in South Africa

Electric Vehicles Africa (EVA) has opened its doors in South Africa with six battery-powered vehicles on offer including a bakkie, a commercial van, two hatchbacks, and two scooters.

EVA’s products are distributed by Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) group, and the vehicles officially went on sale in June in select CMH dealers across the country.

“South Africa is on the cusp of an electric vehicle revolution. We are seeing a growing demand for sustainable mobility options, and with EVA, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement,” said Marius Smal, EVA managing director.

“We believe that EVA will not only provide South Africans with access to affordable and sustainable transportation options but will also play a key role in driving the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”

What’s available

Currently, the following EVA models are available to purchase in South Africa, according to Smal:

City Blitz 2-Seater
City Blitz 4-Seater Passenger Vehicle
City Blitz Pickup
City Blitz Van Commercial Vehicle
City Buzz 1 E-Bike
City Buzz 2 E-Bike

EVA has yet to announce pricing for these models but confirmed that the Blitz range will be covered by a 4-year/60,000km warranty, whereas the Buzz carries a 2-year/20,000km warranty.

EVA City Blitz Pickup and Van

The City Blitz family including the bakkie and panel van is equipped with a 10kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery which powers a 7.5kW motor.

The setup affords 160km of driving range (150km for the bakkie and van) as well as a maximum speed of 80km/h, and it’s rechargeable in four to six hours on a standard 220V outlet with a maximum lifetime of 2,000 charge cycles.

“Our customers will not need any additional charging station; all that is required is a wall plug point, and an extension perhaps if you are parked further from the plug point, and for those households fortunate to have a solar installation already, it means that there is no energy cost at all,” said Smal.

Due to the low top speed, however, these vehicles are “not permitted for South African highway driving.”

EVA City Blitz Pickup

The EVs can also traverse inclines of 20 degrees, but due to the relatively low driving range and top speed, the Blitz series is intended for inner city and suburban roads only and “are not permitted for South African highway driving,” said EVA.

Inside the cabin, owners have access to an LCD media hub with Bluetooth, two speakers, an LCD driver’s display, manual aircon, electric windows, and rear parking sensors with on-screen indicators.

Quite small by most standards, the Blitz comes in at 2,245mm long, 1,290mm wide, and 1,570mm high with a ground clearance of 150mm and a minuscule kerb weight of 650kg.

EVA City Buzz 2

EVA’s range of Buzz scooters – or “electric bicycles” – are then aimed at individuals who mainly travel short distances around town and want to minimise their environmental impact, said Smal.

The range is offered in commuter and commercial applications, the former being the Buzz 1 and the latter the Buzz 2.

The 1 gets a removable battery ranging from 1.2-3.6kWh lending it a maximum driving range of 100 kilometres, whereas the 2’s cell has a capacity of 1.4-6.0kWh resulting in a higher range of 120km.

The 1 is further equipped with a 2.1kW motor allowing for a top speed of 60km/h, a maximum payload of 150kg, and a maximum incline scaleability of 25 degrees.

The 2, on the other hand, makes do with a 3kW engine resulting in a maximum pace of 80km/h, maximum carrying capacity of 250kg, and maximum incline of 23 degrees.

For the 1, buyers can also expect a reverse gear, Sport and Eco drive modes, LED lights, and a USB port, while the 2 offers LED lights, a remote alarm, and a basket for extra packing space.