The cheapest battery-electric car currently available in South Africa is the Mini Cooper SE with a local starting price of R723,000.
Electric cars at present represent a small percentage of the country’s total vehicle fleet, though their numbers are slowly but surely increasing.
Many South Africans have expressed interest in one day owning an electric car, however, increased concern over load-shedding in recent months and the availability of charging infrastructure have cast doubts over peoples’ prospects of one day owning a new-energy vehicle (NEV).
In any case, brands across the automotive industry are making a shift towards EVs in line with global market trends, as there is a concern that South Africa and its manufacturing sector will otherwise be left behind in the shift to electrified transport.
As such, the availability of affordable EVs will play a crucial role in South Africa’s motoring scene in the years to come.
This is what you can expect when purchasing the cheapest fully-electric vehicle in the country.
What you get
The Mini SE is powered by a 32.6kWh battery centrally mounted under the floor, which is hooked up to an electric motor driving the front wheels.
The result is an output of 135kW and 270Nm, letting the hatchback race from 0 to 100km/h in a respectable 7.3 seconds before capping out at a low top speed of 150km/h.
As for its range, the small NEV can go for roughly 215km before needing to be plugged in, which should meet the requirements of most daily commuters’ needs.
Charging to 80%, meanwhile, takes anywhere from 35 minutes using a 50kW DC plug to around 2.5 hours using a more common 11kW AC outlet. Included in the purchase of an SE is also a 3.7kW emergency charging cable that can be plugged into your standard three-prong wall outlet.
Shifting focus to features, the SE comes with partial cloth and artificial leather upholstery, a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon sound system, cruise control, keyless start and entry, climate control, a 5-inch digital driver display, and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen encompassed in a distinctive circular lighting design, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The exterior also has piano black accents on several body panels, as well as adaptive LED headlights, daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a pair of rear LED taillamps in a Union Jack design.
Finally, the boot has enough space to accommodate 211 litres of luggage, which increases to 405 litres with the two rear seats folded.
The Mini SE is accompanied by a 5-year/100,000km Motorplan as well as an 8-year/100,000km battery warranty.
Keyword: Most affordable electric car in the country – What you get