Electric bakkie R50,000 cheaper than a new Hilux double-cab launched in South Africa

Stonemason said:
Not really. The BYD shark is a hybrid and they did a road test with it towing a caravan in Australia. After 50 km the battery was flat and the little 1.5 l petrol engine used more than 30 l/100 km to continue the tow. That meant the petrol tank also ran out of fuel within 200 km.
To tow you either need a twin turbo 2 l diesel and up or a 3 liter petrol engine.
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Then ICE bakkies will remain king for any substantial towing in the foreseeable future. Fortunately this is a smaller fraction of the market, so the rich early adopters can continue funding the development of better electric vehicles.
 
Geely Riddara: South Africa’s first electric double cab goes on sale, and it's cheaper than a Hilux

Arriving as the first of its kind on the South African market, Chinese automaker Geely has revealed its Riddara electric double-cab bakkie on local shores.

Making its debut at the Festival of Motoring at Kyalami Raceway this week, the Riddara is not in any way meant to compete with the traditional ladder-frame bakkies on our market. Not only is it all-electric, but it also employs a car-like unibody structure. But it is interesting to note that its pricing undercuts that of mainstream bakkies like the new-generation Hilux.

Pricing for the new Geely model starts at R611,900 for the 2WD Aspire Econ, rising to R681,900 for the Aspire Econ 4WD and R781,900 for the range-topping Apex RD6 4WD.

While it’s not strictly the first time we’re seeing this bakkie in SA, given that Enviro Automotive imported a limited number in 2025, the Riddara now has the full backing of Geely Automotive.

Power and capability

Despite its unibody construction, Geely claims a payload of up to 1,030kg and a towing capacity of up to 3,000kg for the flagship version. It also boasts a 225mm ground clearance and 815mm wading depth, while drivers can choose from six drive modes, including an Off-Road mode.

But keep in mind that towing heavy objects can rapidly deplete the range.

On that note, the carmaker claims a NEDC range of up to 424km for the Apex 4WD version, and 390km for the Aspire Econ 4WD, both of which feature a 63kWh battery. The base 2WD variant has a 63kWh battery that’s said to provide a range of up to 369km.

The Riddara is capable of DC fast-charging at a rate of up to 110kW.

These bakkies pack some serious power, with even the base 2WD version delivering 180kW and 309Nm. The Aspire 4WD is good for 280kW and 485Nm, while the Apex RD6 4WD pushes 315kW and 595Nm.


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Sopbeen said:
Then ICE bakkies will remain king for any substantial towing in the foreseeable future. Fortunately this is a smaller fraction of the market, so the rich early adopters can continue funding the development of better electric vehicles.
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I think with the newer battery tech coming online in China, ICE bakkies still have about two years of obvious superiority. Think the first real year for EV bakkies as a legit replacement candidate will be 2030, cause by then battery density, range and costs will be comparable.

My thing about this Ridarra is, is it even a bakkie or is it just a utility vehicle with a loadbed.
 
Slckrck said:
My thing about this Ridarra is, is it even a bakkie or is it just a utility vehicle with a loadbed.
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Well it can do bakkie things? They claim 1 ton carrying capacity. Thats on par with other bakkies. I'd like to see the 4x4 model be put through its paces in thick mud and loose sand. We have insanely slippery clay/mud roads around here, some of which can only be tackled with a proper 4x4 when it rains.

I'm pretty excited for electric bakkies. I don't need to tow tonnes or do crazy stuff. I just need a reliable workhorse with a loadbed. I have a lot of surplus solar so getting fuel for free is a big drawcard. I'm personally holding out for the electric hilux that was launched in Thailand. Doubt its going to be affordable here given the hilux price trajectory...
 
I have always wanted to get into the EV world... even looked at Biodiesel many years ago. Just to get away from being held hostage by oil price. But it seems that big oil has always made sure we stuck in this endless loop.

Spoke to a guy in brakenfell many years ago, converted bantam bakkie to EV, that had max 80kph, and max range of 50km.
I mean this is all you need for a daily run about. We (at least I) don't need 0-100 in -2 seconds :laugh:, I drive 18yr old yaris that has lost half it's horses. Pull away is sluggish , but as daily run around to work , shops... it does the job.

For me this bakkie would be fine - Asprice Econ 4x4. I don't need to carry a ton. It would be to work and back, and occasionaly family of 5 , holiday gear in the back. Furthest we normally travel is Witsands , which is roughly 320km from home.
With a fast charging station in Caledon, and one (currently non functioning one) in Buffelsjagrivier.

According to GPT, real world usage for family holiday would realistically drop to about 250km - with aluminum canopy and fully loaded holiday gear, for the Aspire Econ 4x4.
With Caledon 30min topup, it's doable.

Just the resale value of the thing though. It's chinese, so it will lose value like crazy.

Although, I would probably not sell the vehicle in 10 yrs, so the running cost saving in that time.... is it worth it then, even with horrible resale value??

And will it be able to handle the offroading i do. I certainly don't do heavy offroading. If i can go around and obstacle, I will.
But for those situations, you following a sandy tracking in the bush, come around the corner, faced with a steep incline, rutted sandy track - with no room to gain momentum and no way round. Even with the turbo diesel you going to struggle here. This is where petrol is king.
But will these chinese EV's with their high revving, max torque from 0 motor be up to the task??

I realllllyyyyy want to get away from ICE. the EV vehicle just seems so much simpler and that to me says less things to break.
But i have so many questions / fears.
 
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