Are Electric Cars really worth it in 2021?

Posted by Rita H Peterson on February 18th, 2021

Over the years the number of fully electronic motor vehicles available has certainly fluctuated in the South Africa Auto Trade industry. The first fully EV (electronic vehicle) first hit the market back in 2013, with the introduction of Nissan’s Leaf in late November of that year. 

However, it was actually in 2010 that the first Nissan Leaf car was manufactured and sold on the market, but only hitting South African shores three years later. After gaining interest and popularity among consumers, we began to see more and more fully electronic motor vehicle brand models hit the mainstream market. 

But not all EVs seem to survive the South African clientage and many brands get discontinued for different reasons, take the Nissan Leaf for example. Although the first fully electric car to enter South Africa, manufacturing and selling of the cars in fact seized as problems began to surface pertaining to SA’s climate and conditions. 

A few years back there were a plethora of at least eight fully electric cars available (brand-new), but as the times have changed, many of the brands have dropped out. But this isn’t to say EVs are going away, and in fact, five are available in South Africa at present - not accounting for used electric vehicles for sale. 

Apart from South Africa, there are in fact a number of electric cars planned for the future, and you can expect to see a lot more to begin popping up. 

Are EVs available in South Africa?

As of 2021, there are five different branded electric car models available for sale, straight out the box. 

BMW i3 

Previously, BMW offered a fully electric vehicle, the i8, but it was discontinued last year. The i3 is still electric, however, it also comes with a smaller built-in petrol engine, albeit just 600cc, and drivers can expect to get a daily range of up to 260kms. 

Mini SE 

The Mini brand actually falls under BMW and the compact car that is loved for being light makes it a great choice for zipping around the city. The Mini SE still carries out this concept, and they’ve manufactured their electric car so that it provides instant torque. 

Jaguar I-PACE

This is actually the luxury brand’s first-ever all-electric car, and unlike most of the electric cars out there, the design is more SUV-like than that of say, a hatchback or sedan. Previously, there haven’t been many electric cars designed like that of an SUV body. If you’re after an EV with speed, the Jaguar I-PACE reaching accelerations from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. 

Porsche Taycan

Sports cars enthusiasts will be delighted with this one and the brand lives up to expectations in providing effortless speed. You’ll find not one, but two electric motors used within the body of the car, hence the Taycan can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 4 seconds, and the top speed that the car reaches is 250km/h. 

It’s currently the most expensive Electric Vehicle in South Africa, but it is a Porsche after all...

Mercedes-Benz EQC 

One of the latest EVs to hit the South African market, interested buyers cannot yet physically purchase the EQC, however, a waiting list is available as the car is set to launch here in South Africa within the next few months. 

Top 5 Upcoming fully Electric Vehicles: 

Here are some of the top EVs to look out for in 2021/22. 

1. Nissan Leaf (upgraded) 

2. Audi e-tron GT

3. BMW i4

4. Jeep Warngler 4xe

5. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Advantages and Disadvantages of fully Electric Vehicles 

As with most things, there are always going to be some pros and cons. Quite a debated topic in itself, let’s compare the advantages versus the disadvantages of buying into EVs. 

Advantages 

Let’s begin with the positives. 

• One of the biggest factors for their popularity and why many now consider an EV over a normal petrol/diesel vehicle is because they’re more environmentally-friendly, emitting fewer greenhouse gases. Electricity is also a renewable source of energy whereas gasoline is not, just saying…

• Considering all factors, EVs work out cheaper in terms of maintenance and upkeep costs, saving you money (and time) now and in the long-run. 

• The more people that shift towards buying electric cars, the more petrol/diesel engine run motor vehicles are traded off. This means that parts and spares become widely available and more common for those that don’t fancy upgrading into such advanced technologies. 

For brands that are popular in South Africa, such as Nissan or Renault, it means finding more affordable Renault parts Cape Town side for example. If you own a niche brand such as Citroen, this means parts become more widely available. 

• Ultimately, they are marginally quieter on the roads in comparison to many gas-powered cars, and if you live in a quiet residential area, this may be right up your alley. 

Disadvantages 

There are some obvious, and then some not-so-clear disadvantages when it comes to buying/owning an electric vehicle. 

• Being powered by electricity, the battery of the car requires recharging. Unfortunately, you can’t just carry one of these around and you might find yourself hunting for a charging point on the roads. Plus, charging these batteries takes time and needs to be accounted for, especially if you find yourself in a rush/ or stuck. 

• EVs have a shorter driving range than normal cars, meaning the number of kilometres you can get out of the battery life before needing to recharge can be limiting. 

• Although frequent maintenance is not as often required with an EV, the initial purchasing costs are often a lot more expensive than buying an ordinary car, including other expenses when problems do occur. 

• Load-shedding...Hey, in South Africa it’s a reality and a factor worth considering, at least for now anyway. Stuck in an area and load-shedding hits? Well, I’m sure you can see where the problems arise. 

As technologies are constantly evolving we’re seeing a complete evolution of many electric cars, as well as the introduction to some new names on the market. Expect to see big things in the future, whether you’re ready or not.