We explore the evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), examining challenges and advancements for long-distance travel. Can these vehicles cover long distances?
Across the sprawling landscape of South Africa’s automotive industry, the question of whether electric cars can handle long-distance journeys is gaining increasing relevance. As the country gradually joins the shift towards new energy vehicles, the feasibility of electric vehicles (EVs) for typical South African long-distance travel is critical for prospective buyers. AutoTrader SA takes a closer look at the capabilities and challenges associated with electric cars navigating the vast terrains of South Africa.
Concerns
One of the primary concerns regarding long-distance travel in electric vehicles is the charging infrastructure. South Africa has made notable strides in expanding its electric vehicle charging network, with an increasing number of charging stations strategically positioned across major routes. However, the availability of charging infrastructure in more remote areas remains a challenge, and as more EVs are sold, there is always the potential for bottlenecks along major routes where infrastructure is already in place. While urban centres boast a well-developed charging network, travellers venturing into less densely populated regions may need to plan their journeys meticulously to ensure access to charging points.
Anxiety
Range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station, is another factor influencing the perception of electric cars for long-distance travel. However, advancements in battery technology have significantly extended the driving range of modern electric vehicles. Models such as the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS offer ranges that make travel to and from SA’s major cities a relatively fuss-free experience, provided you have the significant capital outlay required to buy the aforementioned vehicles.
SA is just different
The topography of South Africa, marked by diverse landscapes and variable climates, presents an additional layer of complexity for electric cars. For instance, the average roundtrip commute for a South African motorist is 44km per day (compared with 29km in Europe), and with the lack of long-range trains and other public transport infrastructure, many motorists, in addition to the aforementioned daily commute, also drive long distances when taking a holiday.
It’s on the open road where EVs suffer, with no means to regenerate and their efficiency rate reducing drastically over speeds of 100km/h, meaning their claimed range reduces extensively, making extended journeys challenging but not impossible. With the advancements in infrastructure, reduced charging times and better battery technology, EVs will be better at talking longer trips, but at the time of writing, it was still less convenient to go on an extended trip with an EV than with its combustion engine counterpart.
So, can EVs manage long journeys?
Electric cars in South Africa are evolving to meet the demands of long-distance journeys, and in the future, we will see all-electric products that can tackle extended trips in a manner that current internal combustion-engine cars can when we look at the total time required to complete a journey, but for now, even the most impressive EVs will be less attractive as an automotive companion over long journeys due to charging times, total range and infrastructure requirements.
Keyword: Can electric cars handle long-distance journeys in South Africa?