A South African company, EnviroWheels, will be launching the country’s first electric “bakkie” in early 2023.
The “bakkie” is a small, forward-cab truck that will form part of EnviroWheels’ new range of battery-motivated light commercial vehicles (LCVs) alongside its panel van – the latter of which is launching in November this year.
Electric transport
The EnviroWheels electric “bakkie”, dubbed the DFSK EC31, will be able to carry a payload of 1,020kg and will be available in three specifications – chassis-cab, dropside, and cargo box.
The load box will then have a length of 2,900mm, a width of 1,540mm, and a height of 350mm.
The battery used by EnviroWheels’ vehicles will cost as little as R56.50 to charge and yield a travel distance of up to 280km, depending on load and traffic conditions, said the company.
Also included with both the bakkie and the panel van are a number of features such as air conditioning, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
The panel van, meanwhile, will offer dimensions of 2,530mm (L) by 1,440mm (W) by 1,270 mm (H), and will be able to carry up to 1,015kg.
Price
The South African starting prices for EnviroWheels’ LCVs are as follows:
- DFSK EC31 “Bakkie – R550,000 + VAT
- DFSK EC35 Panel Van – R550,000 + VAT
Each vehicle will be sold with a 3-year/60,000km manufacturer warranty and a 3-year/60,000km service plan. The battery will also have its own 5-year/120,000 km warranty.
“CEVs offer unmatched operational cost and efficiencies because they have fewer moving parts than a vehicle fitted with a conventional internal combustion engine,” said Al Troskie of EnviroWheels.
“Local transport operators are quickly warming up to the idea because of the massive savings in operational costs. CEVs also offer additional benefits that improve fleet management efficiencies and reduce a fleet’s total cost of ownership.”
DFSK EC31 electric bakkie
DSFK EC35 electric panel van
Keyword: South Africa’s first electric “bakkie” coming in 2023