South African electric vehicles need government's help

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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South African electric vehicles need government's help

Car manufacturers in South Africa have said that electric vehicles are unlikely to become common in the country until the government plays its part.

This primarily involves financial actions that are required to drive initial demand – including a reduction in import duties and providing incentives for the purchase of electric cars.

Until this happens, electric vehicles will remain relatively uncommon in the country.
 
Disagree, that's to make current electric cars more competitive.

Within the next few years electric will probably end up cheaper, not from most entrenched manufacturers though, since they are way behind e.g. Tesla.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Disagree, that's to make current electric cars more competitive.

Within the next few years electric will probably end up cheaper, not from most entrenched manufacturers though, since they are way behind e.g. Tesla.
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If you factor in maintenance and fuel costs, electric cars are already cheaper to run than the equivalent ICE.
Eg Telsa Model 3 vs BMW 3 series.
 
system32 said:
If you factor in maintenance and fuel costs, electric cars are already cheaper to run than the equivalent ICE.
Eg Telsa Model 3 vs BMW 3 series.
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Yes, I'm talking more about mainstream /cheaper cars.
 
A reduction in import duties. Bwahahaha.
Sadly not while the ANC holds the purse.
 
Daruk said:
A reduction in import duties. Bwahahaha.
Sadly not while the ANC holds the purse.
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I don't really understand why there are import duties at all? We aren't protecting any local manufacturers, it's all foreign owned anyway?

Let's just call it a sales tax on luxury items, that makes more sense.
 
EVs make zero financial sense as they will have zero residual value as second hand cars, and once mass adoption happens, gov will have to find ways to levy "fuel levies" on EVs, they will make even less sense. They will also likely be worse for the environment unless if a proper recycling plan for lithium batteries are in place, by then, the cost of these batteries will make even less sense.

We need something else, period!
 
The problem is the Govt will never let pricing go down or their money-making not go up. If they're forced to go Electric Cars which may reduce income in one place, they'll just levy heavier taxes and/or start charging more for electricity.
You can't win when the house is playing dirty.
 
Just drop the import duties or at the very least level them out with normal cars.

Then incentivise people to buy electric instead with tax credits or some kind.

You know, like every other country that has already done this.

Why does our government only ever want to copy the bad ideas?
 
SauRoNZA said:
Just drop the import duties or at the very least level them out with normal cars.

Then incentivise people to buy electric instead with tax credits or some kind.

You know, like every other country that has already done this.

Why does our government only ever want to copy the bad ideas?
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because they are arrogant and not humble and think they're too cleva and think they can reinvent the wheel.
 
It took around 10 years for SA to have fuel injection over carburetor become the norm. And my folks tell me it was similarly far behind for side mirrors and seatbelts. So, I reckon we should see mainstream EVs here then around 2029?
 
Kawak said:
EVs make zero financial sense as they will have zero residual value as second hand cars, and once mass adoption happens, gov will have to find ways to levy "fuel levies" on EVs, they will make even less sense. They will also likely be worse for the environment unless if a proper recycling plan for lithium batteries are in place, by then, the cost of these batteries will make even less sense.

We need something else, period!
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EVs are the future till hydrogen take over, we can't avoid it. When a ev's battery get replaced there is still a out 80% life in it. Ideal for battery backup storage and last another 20 years. There also also companies who can recycle more than 95% of old batteries for the manufacturing of new ones. SA is just behind in technology like normal.
 
One Day said:
EVs are the future till hydrogen take over, we can't avoid it. When a ev's battery get replaced there is still a out 80% life in it. Ideal for battery backup storage and last another 20 years. There also also companies who can recycle more than 95% of old batteries for the manufacturing of new ones. SA is just behind in technology like normal.
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this.
this is what i'm waiting for.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Just drop the import duties or at the very least level them out with normal cars.

Then incentivise people to buy electric instead with tax credits or some kind.

You know, like every other country that has already done this.

Why does our government only ever want to copy the bad ideas?
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There's a ~7% tax difference, both internal combustion and electric have ~35-45% tax on them. South Africa is insane with taxes, you think they're ever going to reduce it? I doubt it.
 
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