Local interest in electric cars is steadily growing, and it’s not only new electric vehicles (EVs) that are appealing to South Africans, as is evident in the latest quarterly used EV sales numbers.
According to AutoTrader’s first-quarter 2026 data, South Africa’s car buyers are moving from curiosity about EVs to serious consideration, even if price remains a barrier.
When comparing these figures to the same period last year, there is a clear shift in the number of searches for used electric cars on the company’s platform.
“These aren’t just vague searches; they reflect people spending time on actual listings rather than passive browsing, and that kind of engagement is definitely up,” noted AutoTrader
The number of buyers looking at used Volvo EX30s increased by 7.5%, from 40,337 views to 43,362, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge received 23.8% more views, climbing from 23,077 to 28,566.
The BMW iX also saw its views increase from 29,862 to 38,686, a nearly 30% jump, signalling an increase in searches for electric cars since the start of 2026.
Chinese models, including the BYD Dolphin Surf – which attracted 65,442 views – and the BYD Atto 3 – which got 22,350 views – are pulling greater attention, which is converting into sales.
The Dolphin Surf recorded 35 sales, placing it third overall, while BYD sold 15 Atto 3 units in the same period.
“This indicates that the narrative of EVs being purely premium products has started to shift, thanks to the arrival of more affordable Chinese electric vehicles on the used vehicle market,” said AutoTrader.
“There is still a strong presence at the top end, though, with the aforementioned iX averaging just over R1 million, and still managing to sell 19 units during the same period.”
These highlight the much clearer range of options available in the used market, attracting different types of buyers.
It’s not all window shopping
Year-on-year, EV sales recorded steady but meaningful increases, as 41 Volvo XC40 Recharge units were sold in the last quarter, compared to the 24 sold in the same period last year.
Yet another Volvo, the EX30, which was already the country’s top seller, increased sales by 23%, from 35 to 43 units, while older models like the Mini Hatch and BMW i3 recorded increases.
AutoTrader’s CEO, George Mienie, commented that electric vehicles are following a familiar adoption curve.
“What we’re seeing now is the early stages of market maturity, where interest is broadening, supply is improving, and buyers are becoming more informed,” he said.
“That combination is what ultimately drives sustainable growth, not short-term spikes. As more models enter the market and the used pipeline strengthens, the pace of adoption should become more consistent over time.”
The company’s data also shows encouraging signs in the makeup of the most popular cars, noting that in 2026, the list is dominated by one- to four-year-old vehicles with lower mileage.
“In Q1, the EX30 averaged 6,031 km and the BYD Dolphin Surf 4,535 km, making them easier for buyers to justify compared to older, higher-mileage EVs,” said AutoTrader.
It added that EV prices are still a factor driving buyers’ decisions, noting that even more accessible options cannot be considered “cheap”.
Below is AutoTrader’s data from the first quarter of 2026, alongside the numbers from the same period in 2025.
Top 10 sold and searched-for Used EVs in Q1 2026
| Rank | Model | Sold | Consumer Advert Views (CAVs) | Average price | Average mileage | Average age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo EX30 | 43 | 43,362 | R918,454 | 6,031 km | 1 year old |
| 2 | Volvo XC40 Recharge | 41 | 28,566 | R840,610 | 13,538 km | 2 years old |
| 3 | BYD Dolphin Surf | 35 | 65,442 | R349,961 | 4,535 km | 1 year old |
| 4 | Mini Hatch | 22 | 27,500 | R388,371 | 27,805 km | 4 years old |
| 5 | BYD Dolphin | 20 | 14,366 | R474,904 | 7,428 km | 1 year old |
| 6 | BMW i3 | 19 | 30,957 | R380,819 | 64,062 km | 9 years old |
| 7 | BMW iX | 19 | 38,686 | R1,097,534 | 32,196 km | 4 years old |
| 8 | BMW iX3 | 17 | 17,303 | R806,966 | 42,837 km | 3 years old |
| 9 | MG Cyberster | 17 | 20,442 | R1,245,087 | 1,045 km | 1 year old |
| 10 | BYD Atto 3 | 15 | 22,350 | R661,822 | 4,707 km | 1 year old |
Top 10 sold and searched-for used EVs in Q1 2025
| Rank | Model | Sold | Consumer Advert Views (CAVs) | Average price | Average mileage | Average age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo EX30 | 35 | 40,337 | R934,421 | 5,403 km | 1 year old |
| 2 | Volvo XC40 Recharge | 24 | 23,077 | R1,026,469 | 6,164 km | 2 years old |
| 3 | BMW i3 | 17 | 27,492 | R437,546 | 67,587 km | 7 years old |
| 4 | Mini Hatch | 16 | 17,482 | R459,750 | 29,999 km | 3 years old |
| 5 | BMW iX | 16 | 29,862 | R1,251,542 | 26,908 km | 3 years old |
| 6 | Volvo C40 Recharge | 11 | 8,082 | R1,158,831 | 7,341 km | 1 year old |
| 7 | BMW iX3 | 9 | 21,544 | R909,633 | 28,204 km | 3 years old |
| 8 | GWM Ora 03 | 9 | 11,652 | R580,609 | 6,273 km | 2 years old |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz EQB | 7 | 9,461 | R898,357 | 18,000 km | 3 years old |
| 10 | BMW i4 | 7 | 17,216 | R1,052,384 | 19,726 km | 3 years old |
AutoTrader noted that, taken together, the data doesn’t point towards a massive surge, but also that it by no means indicates stagnation.
“As more affordable EVs enter the market and fuel prices remain under pressure, consumers are even more likely to engage with EV listings,” explained AutoTrader.
“As a result, sales should continue to tick up gradually. South Africans are slowly becoming more comfortable with EV ownership, and that growing familiarity is starting to show in both engagement and sales.”
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