BY THATCAR.co.za
There was a time when it was EISHKOM.
But we’ve now had more than 500 days without load-shedding, so we think it’s YESKOM.
Yes, you are on the correct channel.
Electricity is steady, and electricity prices are certainly looking more stable than petrol prices, so electric vehicles are starting to look more appealing.
But, honestly speaking, EVs still create a few concerns:
- Range
- Access to charging points
- PRICE
Now, hear us out.
Many households have two cars.
So how about having a small EV for your daily commute, and then keeping an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle for those longer-distance trips?
Yes, we hear you saying:
“But PRICE…”
Well, we’re now at a point where EVs are becoming much more affordable.
So, let’s tell you about five of the more affordable EVs available in South Africa, with several of them sitting around the R340,000–R390,000 mark.
Yes, for roughly R8,000 a month, depending on the finance terms, you could get yourself into a fully electric vehicle.
And once again, we have to thank the Chinese manufacturers, namely BYD, Geely, Chery and Dongfeng, for pushing the prices down.
Let’s start with the most expensive.
DONGFENG VIGO
- Starting price: R499,000
- Power: 120 kW / 230 Nm
- Range: 401 km
This is a compact, all-electric crossover SUV designed for urban and lifestyle driving.
It has a decent interior, and with a 0–100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds, it’s certainly brisk enough.
Features include a 360-degree camera, six airbags, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, among other safety and driver-assistance systems.
Verdict
We like the looks, the features and the size.
DONGFENG BOX
- Starting price: R349,000
- Power: 70 kW / 160 Nm
- Range: 430 km
This is smaller than the Vigo, with a front-mounted electric motor delivering 70 kW and 160 Nm.
But get this:
Up to 430 km of claimed range.
It also has a very funky interior, a host of features and a comprehensive ownership package.
Verdict
We like the interior.
We like the looks.
But what really intrigues us is the range.
More than its bigger sister, actually.
CHERY Q
- Starting price: R349,900
- Power: 90 kW / 115 Nm
- Range: 340 km
The Chery Q was Chery’s first fully electric vehicle introduced in South Africa, designed as an affordable, compact electric crossover.
It comes with a 15.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster.
The listed luggage capacity is 375 litres, expandable to 1,450 litres, while there is also a separate front trunk offering an additional 70 litres of storage.
Verdict
To us, this is the best-looking one of the bunch.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
- Starting price: R341,900
- Power: 55 kW / 135 Nm
- Range: 232 km
The BYD Dolphin Surf is one of South Africa’s most affordable new electric cars.
It also scored a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with a comprehensive ADAS package that includes features such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
Verdict
This is where things started getting really interesting for affordable EVs.
It’s cheap, it’s funky and it’s electric.
GEELY E2
- Starting price: R339,900
- Power: 85 kW / 150 Nm
- Range: 325 km
The Geely E2 is currently one of South Africa’s most affordable new electric vehicles.
It uses rear-wheel drive, with an 85 kW / 150 Nm electric motor.
Top speed is claimed at 130 km/h.
The battery is a 39.4 kWh LFP unit, offering a claimed range of up to 325 km.
Verdict
The range is brilliant.
The price is great.
And RWD?
We like that.
SO, WHAT WOULD WE HAVE?
Well, we would take either the Geely E2 or the Chery Q, based largely on the looks.
But here’s the thing:
These cars make a lot of sense as daily commuters.
Dropping the kids at school.
Going to work.
Doing the shopping.
Running errands.
Going to the gym.
Basically, doing all those little daily trips that eat fuel.
If your average daily commute is around 50 km, a car with a claimed range of 300–400 km could theoretically give you several days of commuting before you need to recharge — although real-world range will vary depending on driving conditions, temperature, traffic and how you drive.
And that’s where the argument for the little EV becomes interesting.
Keep the ICE car for the long trips.
Use the EV for the daily grind.
And let YESKOM pay for some of your motoring.
Well…
Until Eskom changes its mind. 😄
