Electric cars – are they viable?

Published on 14th May, 2018 at 01:44 pm

The majority of cars in South Africa are still powered by petrol and diesel, but this is changing slowly as electric cars become more affordable.

Why buy an electric car?

Besides offering lower running and operating costs, they are kind to the environment because of their lower CO₂ emissions and innovative technology. Also, they’re no longer slow and cumbersome; in fact, there are certain models that will beat most supercars.

Who offers electric models?

Manufacturers at the forefront of offering electric-only models in South Africa include Nissan, with the Nissan Leaf, and BMW, with its i3 and i8 models.

Are they cheaper to buy?

Not at present, as electric vehicles attract the highest import duties (25%). The BMW i3 starts from R606 800 for the pure electric version, while the Nissan Leaf starts from R474 900. However, the BMW Group South Africa is negotiating for a 0% duty on the import of electric vehicles

Are electric cars cheaper to run?

Yes they are. According to Nissan, the Leaf’s battery takes 22kWh of useable power. With the current Eskom price per kWh, fully charging the Nissan Leaf’s battery can cost between R25 and R30.The BMW i3 needs roughly 13.75kWh per 100km, which means that the cost per 100km is about R15.

On the other hand, the cost of a highly efficient diesel engine used in city or urban areas, which needs six litres per 100km, comes out at roughly R84 for 100km (diesel price between R13 and R14 per litre)*.

Are they cheaper to maintain?

Consider oil changes and ‘tune-ups’ a thing of the past because electric cars don’t have an internal combustion engine or transmission. There are fewer moving parts, making it cheaper to fix and maintain. According to BMW, the long-term service maintenance costs for the i3 are also lower than that of an internal combustion engine, and BMW offers an eight-year factory warranty on the battery. Nissan said its EV comes standard with a service plan, and general maintenance is very low compared to a normal vehicle. You still have coolant, brake fluid and brake pads to maintain and do an annual battery health check.

Where can I charge my car?

Finding somewhere to charge your car can be problematic, although the manufacturers have set up charging stations for their customers. Charging spots in South Africa can be found across the network of 38 BMW i3 dealers and, together with Nissan South Africa, they’ve also rolled out AC chargers at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and Constantia Village, plus three AC fast chargers in the Melrose Arch Precinct in Johannesburg. Plans are underway to expand to more sites in Gauteng and KZN.

How long do they take to charge?

Charging an electric vehicle needs some planning as the time it takes varies. BMW’s AC stations can charge a BMW i3 from 0 to 80% in approximately two-and-a-half hours.

What are the alternatives?

If you don’t want to go 100% electric but still want to help the environment, you can buy a hybrid car. Hybrids use more than one form of on-board energy to get the car going, but this technique is still cleaner than petrol or diesel engines, and will reduce emissions.

*Electricity fees and petrol costs as per March 2018.