Internationally certain governments have indicated that vehicles with internal combustion engines will be banned in the near future which has prompted many automakers to finalise their development of electric vehicles. Many manufacturers, especially those of premium models, has subsequently revealed their electric ranges while some has been launched and is already available for order.
Locally, however, the adoption of electric vehicles has been quite slow as the development of infrastructure has taken some time. Many customers also still have range anxiety when they consider electric vehicles. However, automakers have been making great strides in increasing the distances between charges and slowly but surely have been breaking down any fears surrounding the range of electric models.
Now if you are one of those individuals that have weighed your options and have realised the benefits of owning an electric vehicle, you might be wondering what your options are in the local market. Below we have collated a list of electric vehicles that are already available on dealership floors as well as a few that is said to make their local debut in 2022. Find used electric models available on AutoTrader here.
MINI Cooper SE
The MINI Cooper SE is the first electric offering from the British automaker and recently made its debut locally in South Africa. While it doesn't offer very much range, it is still a great option for the morning commute and those quick trips to the mall over the weekends. The model is at the time of writing this article, is the most affordable electric option available.
- 135 kW / 270 Nm
- 32.6 kWh battery pack
- 217 km range
Price: from R709 400
BMW i3
The BMW i3 was one of the first electric cars to arrive in South Africa. While very little has changed on the model in terms of styling over the years, it remains a popular choice amongst electric car buyers. The i3 can also be had in i3s form which sees a little more power and torque produced by the electric motors. Furthermore, customers can opt for REx or range extender derivatives that utilises a small petrol engine to charge the battery. The tiny engine does not propel the wheels in any way.
- 125 kW (i3s 135 kW) / 250 Nm (i3s 270 Nm)
- 37.9 kWh
- 260 km range
Price: from R754 200
Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge Twin AWD
Volvo's first electric offering locally is the XC40 P8 Recharge. The model that is based on the internal-combustion-powered XC40, utilises not one but two electric motors to provide drive to all four wheels. With the amount of power produced by the electric motors, the XC40 P8 Recharge is capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 180 km/h. However, within operating environments and reasonable use, the Scandinavian model offers up to 418 km in range.
- 300 kW / 660 Nm
- 78 kWh
- 418 km range
Price: from R1 200 000
BMW iX
Like the Volvo, the BMW iX employs two electric motors to power all four wheels. The iX is available in two derivatives, the xDrive40 and xDrive50, the latter produces more power and torque and promises additional range with its larger battery. Both iX variants adopt a brand new design language which sets the electric model apart from the internal-combustion-powered ranges on offer from the German automaker.
- xDrive40 240 kW / 630 Nm, xDrive50 385 kW / 765 Nm
- xDrive40 76.6 kWh, xDrive50 111.5 kWh
- xDrive40 372-425 km range, xDrive50 550-631 km range
Price: from R 1 650 000
Audi e-tron quattro
The Audi e-tron SUV was first unveiled globally in 2018 even though the first concept vehicle was shown as early as 2015. The model only recently made its first appearance locally and is available on order. In terms of size, the model nearly measures the same dimensions as the Audi Q7. The e-tron quattro is available in a more traditional SUV form as well as Sportback guise, the latter incorporating a more coupe-like roofline.
The Audi e-tron S Sportback quattro which is positioned as the flagship in the range, not only offer sportier trim on both the interior and exterior but also provide more performance for the driver.
- Audi e-tron 55 quattro + Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro S line: 300 kW / 664 Nm
Audi e-tron S Sportback quattro: 370 kW / 973 Nm
- 95 kWh battery across the range
- Audi e-tron 55 quattro: 369-440 km range
Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro S line: 372-453 km range
Audi e-tron S Sportback quattro S line: 347-378 km range
Price: from R 1 990 000
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace was one of the first electric vehicles to launch locally that proved that EVs can do more than 400 km on a charge, look stylish and is quite fast should you press the accelerator. Furthermore, it was with the I-Pace as well as the Jaguar PowerWay network, which now boasts more than 80 charging points at strategic points, that proved how serious Jaguar is in investing in electric cars not just internationally but locally too.
- 294 kW / 696 Nm
- 90 kWh
- 470 km range
Price: from R 1 999 900
Porsche Taycan & Taycan Cross Tourismo
While many Porsche purists have a thing or two to say about the electrified models, the German automaker has pulled out all the stops with their first EV. Locally, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the fastest EV on the road and is capable of hitting 100 km/h from a standstill in only 2.8-seconds. The Porsche range, however, is not only premium in its finishes and performance, but pricing too as at the time of writing this article, it was positioned at the top.
- 300 kW (S 390kW, Turbo 500 kW, Turbo S 560 kW) - 345 Nm (S 640 Nm, Turbo 850 Nm, Turbo S 1050 Nm)
- 79.2 kWh or 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus)
- Range combined (WLTP) (Performance Battery) - 354 km
Range combined (WLTP) (Performance Battery Plus) - 407 km
Price: from R2 262 000
Audi e-tron GT quattro
One of the more recent EV introductions in the Audi product range is the e-tron GT quattro and the performance-oriented Audi RS e-tron GT quattro. The models take shape as fastback configurations and will comfortably accommodate five occupants as well as, between 435-litres and 490-litres worth of luggage, depending on the model chosen. Not only does the Audi RS e-tron GT quattro offer sportier trim options on both the exterior and interior but also more power and torque which results in faster acceleration times as well as top speed.
- Audi e-tron GT quattro 350 kW / 630 Nm, Audi RS e-tron GT quattro 440 kW / 830 Nm
- 93.4 kWh battery
- Audi e-tron GT quattro 452-488 km range, Audi RS e-tron GT quattro 433-472 km range
Price: from R2 715 000
Soon to arrive
BMW not only want to bolster its electric SUV offerings locally but also introduce a fully electric sedan. Based on the X3, BMW plans to launch an iX3 model which is claimed to have a range of 425 km. Alongside the iX3 SUV, BMW plans to bring in the i4 M50 sedan model that is claimed to have a range of up to 510 km.
In the other German camp, Mercedes-Benz is planning to introduce a wide range of electric models locally. Prospective crossover and SUV customers will be happy to note that Mercedes-Benz is planning to bring the EQA, which is an electric equivalent of the GLA, as well as the EQB which is based on the GLB platform. The EQA, promises a range of up to 493km, while the larger seven-seater EQB has a claimed range of 420km.
Those in the market for sedans will rejoice as Mercedes-Benz not only plan to introduce the EQE electric sedan that offers 660 km in range but also the flagship EQS model that is claimed will keep driving up to 770km.
