The tide of electric vehicles (EVs) making their way to South Africa is picking up at a steady pace, as there are at least eight new models set to arrive in 2024.
This includes a second model from one of the country’s newest carmakers, the return of a well-known brand, and even an electrified bakkie, making for a diverse line-up over the course of the next 12 months.
What’s on the horizon
The first new EV heading to South Africa is the BYD Dolphin, the second car to come from Build Your Dreams – which is commonly referred to as the Chinese version of Tesla.
The company launched in the country with a single model, the Atto 3 crossover, and the Dolphin will serve as a more affordable hatchback option that competes alongside the GWM Ora 3.
Volvo will also be adding to its electrified roster this year with two new options in the EX30 and EX90, where the former is set to become one of South Africa’s most affordable electric SUVs, while the latter is the brand’s new flagship.
Another returning brand in the space is Mini, which is revamping a significant portion of its portfolio this year with two new EVs in the mix – the Cooper SE and the Countryman SE.
The Cooper SE is already on sale in South Africa and was previously its cheapest EV before the Ora took its place, and will be seeing an update this year with a new sporty John Cooper Works model.
The larger Countryman, on the other hand, will be getting a battery-electric version for the first time, adding another option to the growing list of locally available electric crossovers.
One unexpected entry is coming from Lotus, a nameplate that hasn’t operating in the country for years, and is bringing out an SUV called the Eletre in stark contrast to its more famous models like the Elise.
Maserati is also bringing out an electric version of its Grecale, and Chinese bakkie maker JAC is set to deliver two new T9s this year with a plug-in hybrid and fully-electric double cab.
You can see a breakdown of the electric vehicles coming to South Africa below:
BYD Dolphin
- Power – 70kW/180Nm (Dynamic)
- 0-100km/h – 12.3 seconds (Dynamic)
- Range – 340km (WLTP — Dynamic)
- Maximum charging speeds – 7.4kW AC and 60kW DC
JAC T9 electric bakkie
- Power – TBC
- 0-100km/h – TBC
- Range – 400km
- Maximum charging speeds – TBC
Lotus Eletre
- Power – 450kW/710Nm
- 0-100km/h – 4.5 seconds
- Range – 600km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 22kW AC and 350kW DC
Maserati Grecale Folgore
- Power – 373kW+/800Nm+
- 0-100km/h – 4.1 seconds
- Range – 500km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 22kW AC and 150kW DC
Mini Cooper SE
- Power – 125kW/270Nm (John Cooper Works)
- 0-100km/h – 6.7 seconds (John Cooper Works)
- Range – 402km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 95kW DC
Mini Countryman SE
- Power – 230kW/494Nm
- 0-100km/h – 5.6 seconds
- Range – 433km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 11kW AC or 130kW DC
Volvo EX30
- Power – 200kW/343Nm (Core Single Motor)
- 0-100km/h –5.7 seconds (Core Single Motor)
- Range – 282km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 11kW AC and 153kW DC
Volvo EX90
- Power – 205kW/490Nm
- 0-100km/h – 8.4 seconds
- Range – 580km (WLTP)
- Maximum charging speeds – 11kW AC and 250kW DC
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