Around the world,the demand and the interest is growing for electric cars. Automakers are delivering more electric models with longer range and lower prices, however the big question is whether South Africa is ready for this interesting innovation and improvement as far as transport and tech is concerned.
The smooth and silent experience that comes with driving an electric vehicle (EV) is quite contrary to the progress South Africa has made in effectively implementing appropriate infra-structure to support vehicle sales.
Two of the country’s competing EV manufacturers, BMW and Nissan, signed a memorandum of agreement in 2014, which saw them essentially join forces to build a national grid of EV and plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) charging stations for use by both Nissan and BMW vehicles. The deal, however, never came to the fore.
According to BMWi product manager Alan Boyd, there are just over 100 BMWi charge points, the majority of which can be found at locations in the big cities. This has resulted in positive sales of the BMWi since the arrival of the i3 and i8 in 2015. Collectively, around 420 BMWi vehicles are being driven on South African roads, with the BMW i8 leading sales.
Nissan, with only seven charging points available at select dealerships in Gauteng, has suffered. To date, 90 Nissan Leafs, which were brought to SA in 2013, have been sold.
“Something needs to happen so that manufacturers can agree to start exporting the cars to South Africa again,” he added.
South Africa’s central power supplier, Eskom, told Moneyweb in an e-mailed response that it is currently investigating its role in developing the eMobility market for the EV.
Eskom said it is exploring a multitude of business models and entering into partnerships with e-mobility stakeholders and government to work on cost-efficient and beneficial models for EVs in South Africa.