The majority of South Africans are interested in one day owning an electric car, however it’s predominantly younger motorists who are pushing for the new technology.
This is according to AutoTrader’s 2023 South Africa Electric Vehicle Buyers Survey, which found that road users between the ages of 24 and 35, who represent the main demographic of car buyers, are most likely to pick up an electric vehicle (EV), while those over the age of 65 showed the least interest.
Why South Africans want electric cars
When respondents were asked if and when they would ever buy an EV, the vast majority of people said that they would, as only 7% of those surveyed answered “never.”
Interestingly, only 19.5% of those questioned said they had ever driven an EV, and only 2% actually own one to begin with, yet the interest is clearly there.
While 20% said that they would likely purchase an EV within the next two years, the bulk of respondents had more tempered expectations, with the single largest group saying that it would take five or more years to make it happen.
Given that most automakers have set a deadline for an electric shift to occur between 2025 and 2030, it makes sense that most South Africans would only expect EVs to become more accessible towards the end of the decade.
Projected EV ownership
As for why South Africans want to own an electric car, the vast majority cited reduced carbon emissions and air pollution as the chief advantage of such a vehicle. This was then followed by cheaper running costs, reduced noise pollution, and lower maintenance costs.
The least popular reasons, on the other hand, included the idea that EVs are easier to drive, that they have a “positive image,” and that they have better styling than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.
Advantages of EVs
The survey also looked at the factors that potential EV buyers would consider to be the most important when selecting a model.
Battery efficiency and safety actually came tied in first place ahead of price, which isn’t surprising given that the former dictates a vehicles maximum range, while the latter is an important consideration in any car purchase.
Price was naturally the next most important factor, which was followed by the level of technology in the car, its ownership costs, and its environmental friendliness.
Resale value only made it about mid-way on the graph, as did performance, and matters like insurance, style, vehicle size, the brand, and driver assistance and self-driving capabilities were considered a lower priority by most users.
EV purchase factors
Changing with the times
Love them or hate them, South Africa may be forced to switch to electric vehicles regardless due to the global shift being pushed by Europe, China, and North America.
VW, for example, has sounded the alarm that the Polo is likely to be scrapped by the end of the decade due to the EU’s ban on internal combustion engines, which would create a big problem for VW South Africa’s production plant in the Eastern Cape which makes and exports the hatchback to Europe.
Likewise, BMW has suggested that it may have to convert its X3 factory in Gauteng to produce the electric iX3 instead, in order to keep selling its cars overseas.
Other carmakers like Ford have started planning ahead by designing their new vehicle architecture with electrification in mind further down the road, as is the case with the next-generation Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.
It means that, while electric cars may still seem a long way off for certain motorists, South Africa may end up making the switch a lot sooner than expected.
Keyword: South Africans say they want electric cars – Here are the reasons why