While many new EVs are entering the South African market and are easier on the pocket, what are some available older used options out there? We've checked what's available on our website and sourced 4 battery-electric vehicles for you to review. Some have a bit of mileage on them, and some are earlier EV models with different battery technology. But that shouldn't deter you from trying one out too much, provided the maintenance has been kept up. Let's see what's on offer from China and Europe.
Related: Where Does South Africa Stand? The Global EV Divide in Q1 2026
1. BMW i3
The BMW i3 was one of the earliest EVs to reach the South African market. There were both a full-electric variant and a range-extender-equipped version. This was geared more for urban environments and had a single motor driving the rear wheels as well as an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack. The variant we have had a range of 130 km (WLTP)
You can check out the latest BMW i3 deals here.
2. BYD Dolphin
BYD's Dolphin is currently South Africa's best-selling EV. It uses a single motor to propel the front wheels, BYD's Blade battery system, and has a range of around 400 km (WLTP).
You can check out the latest BYD Dolphin offerings here.
3. Mini Cooper SE
Let's have a look at an electrified version of an icon. The Mini Cooper SE has been fairly favoured in the EV space as well, albeit more in an urban sense. This is a single-motor, front-puller, lithium-ion-powered vehicle with a WLTP range of at least 235 km, at least with the older models.
You can check out the latest Mini Cooper SE deals here.
4. BYD Atto 3
Another maiden voyage for BYD was the Atto 3, which also made a storm when it entered European markets. The only SUV on here, albeit a crossover with entertaining tricks up its sleeve as well as some pretty decent spec to boot. The model we received was a front-motor, front-wheel drive with BYD's Blade battery, capable of a range of almost 400 km.
Check out the latest BYD Atto 3 deals here.
