Electric cars (EVs) are becoming more popular in South Africa, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are a big part of this change, but where can you charge them?
Charging your PHEV, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
PHEVs have the best of both worlds: an electric motor's low fuel consumption and cleaner emissions, without the accompanying range anxiety that EV owners have to live with.
Where can I find charging points for my PHEV in South Africa?
Well, you can basically charge your PHEV everywhere an EV does, as long as there's an AC outlet, but the more modern hybrids allow for DC charging as well, like the Range Rover Evoque hybrid.
The Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge is a stellar plug-in hybrid!
Read our road-trip review of the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge AWD R-Design here.
1. Public charging stations
- DC Fast Chargers: These stations, primarily found in urban areas and along major highways, deliver a powerful boost, with the ability to charge up an EV's battery rather swiftly but will only charge your PHEV if compatible.
This CCS2 DC-Combo Type 2 inlet is usually found on EVs and are compatible with DC fast chargers, but more hybrids are now issued with this inlet.
- However, DC fast chargers usually have an additional slow-charging AC outlet as well, and you'll be able to charge your PHEV at this plug point if your hybrid doesn't allow for DC charging. So it's important to ensure you always have your AC cable in your boot!
- The Volvo XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid is such an example; it has a charging socket with an AC inlet port, just like the new Lexus RX 450h+. The new Toyota plug-in hybrid has DC charging compatibility.
Most PHEVs have this inlet for AC Level 2 charging.
- AC Level 2 Chargers: These are more widespread and often seen in shopping malls, parking garages, and even hotels, and are suitable to recharge your PHEV, unless they're under maintenance. (See the red section below.) This is why you always have to check which plug points are active before you embark on any journey.
The chargestations map has all the information regarding each charging station, but contact Gridcars if you are unsure, because sometimes the charger shows it's undergoing maintenance but the modem is just offline!
2. Charging at home
- Wall Boxes: Installing a dedicated wall box at home offers the ultimate convenience. Charge overnight and wake up to a full battery, ready for your daily commute (if you're not fully reliant on Eskom, that is!) Choose a wall box compatible with your PHEV's charging capabilities; usually the manufacturer will include the wall box and the installation thereof with the sale of the car. Some PHEVs charge quicker than others; for example, Volvo offers their new 6.4kW 2-phase onboard charger in the XC60 T8 Recharge for a 0–100% charge in around three hours, the brand claims, but this also depends on a variety of factors.
Charging costs
- Public charging stations have usage fees, which vary depending on network operators and charging speeds. It's cheaper to charge at home. Most plug-in hybrids have much smaller batteries than long-range EVs, so PHEVs are usually much quicker and cheaper to charge compared to EVs like the Mercedes-EQA, for example (read my review here).
- Find out how much it costs in this article titled: Are electric car charging stations free?
Where to check which charging stations are functional
- GridCars: This national network provider offers an interactive map of all their functional (and non-functional) charging stations across South Africa. Click here to view! It also takes load-shedding into account. You can also make use of their ActiveCharge mobility service.
- PlugShare: This popular app features a comprehensive directory of EV charging stations, including real-time availability and user reviews. Download them below:
What are the benefits of PHEV ownership?
Owning a PHEV in South Africa comes with additional benefits:
- Reduced Running Costs: PHEVs offer significant fuel savings compared to conventional ICE cars, especially on short journeys where the electric motor can take over. You can run your car on electricity alone in congested areas, and it's here where conventional cars usually guzzle petrol!
- Charging time is reduced. Compared to most modern EVs the battery in a PHEV isn't as big, and therefore it's faster to "fill".
- Premier parking close to the shops: The public charging stations are usually located close to the nearest entrance of a shopping centre, like at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, for example.
PHEV owners are generally not plagued by range anxiety, but once the battery is depleted, some plug-in hybrids tend to be rather heavy on petrol.
Charging into the future
The South African EV charging landscape is rapidly evolving, with plans for additional network expansion and improved accessibility. As the demand for PHEVs grows, so will the availability of convenient and dependable charging options.
Audi and Rubicon have recently collaborated to add 6 new 150kW DC fast-charging stations across SA, read more about it here.
ENDS
