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Figure 11 Source of Carbon Emissions in South Africa

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2007. Sustainable Energy Strategy for
the Western Cape.

Electric motorisation is one of many transport options that the country has been
exploring in the transition to more sustainable solutions. EVs have been available for
sale in South Africa since 2013, with a total of roughly 350 sold to date. The models
available are the BMW i3 and the Nissan LEAF, which are imported from Germany and
Japan respectively. Tesla cars are also set to start rolling in from late in 2017.

Table 1 Electric Cars Available in South Africa

Car Range Estimated Cost

Nissan Leaf 195 km R450 600
BMW i3 129–161 km R595 000

Tesla Model 3 346 km R520 000

The present low volume of sales speaks to a number of reservations surrounding the use
of EVs in South Africa. These include the unstable electricity supply from Eskom, and the
relatively high percentage (around 90%) of coal-based electricity feeding the national
grid. There are also concerns surrounding the limited range of electric vehicles as a
safety hazard in South Africa, and the relatively high purchase price of EVs as detailed
in Table 1 above.

CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND VEHICLE RANGE

The lack of public charging stations and associated limited range of the current vehicles
available is one of the largest reasons that people are hesitant to drive EVs in South Africa,
where urban distances are relatively large. It is not enough just to charge at home, we
need the security of fast charging stations at workplaces and commonly used public
spaces such as malls. Although investing in a national charging infrastructure seems like
an intimidating task, investment in furthering EVs and public transport systems actually
reduces investment needs when compared with current development trends in cities.

32 QUARTERLY ECONOMIC BULLETIN 2016