Karen Singh|Published
South Africans considering an electric vehicle should check whether they can charge it reliably, what electricity will cost, and what the car may be worth when they sell it, the Automobile Association (AA) has warned.
AA Chief Executive Bobby Ramagwede said electric vehicles were becoming practical for motorists, but lower running costs did not automatically make them the right purchase.
It now “makes sense for a consumer to strongly consider an EV”, he said, provided buyers understood the risks.
Home charging was crucial. Motorists with garages and wall-mounted chargers could avoid higher tariffs at public fast-charging stations. For people living in flats or properties without dedicated charging facilities, the financial benefits could be harder to achieve.
Ramagwede said reliable electricity was another requirement.
Where supply was inconsistent, “we strongly advise against purchasing an EV if that vehicle is going to be driven within that area,” he said.
Charging at work or another location with reliable electricity might offer an alternative, but only if it fits the driver's routine.
Ramagwede said a vehicle offering at least 300km of range could meet many motorists' needs on short daily journeys.
Long-term ownership posed different questions.
Battery condition can influence an electric car's value, while financiers have less long-term data on how EV batteries perform and affect resale prices than they do for petrol and diesel vehicles.
“In essence, when you're buying an EV, you're not really buying a car; you're buying a battery with some wheels attached to it,” Ramagwede said.
Ramagwede also raised the possibility that vehicle manufacturers could shift more attention towards hydrogen-powered cars. Although hydrogen technology had not yet been widely adopted, he questioned what such a shift might mean for the future resale market for battery-electric vehicles.
These uncertainties mattered to buyers taking out long-term finance, particularly contracts involving balloon payments. Such agreements leave a lump sum payable at the end, which could exceed the car's resale value.
He cautioned that balloon payments still attract interest, leaving some buyers facing larger liabilities than expected.
He also urged motorists to investigate vehicle reliability, warranties, and after-sales service before buying.
Ramagwede said the AA had encountered technical and warranty-related issues involving some newer petrol and hybrid vehicles, reinforcing the need for buyers to investigate a manufacturer's reliability record and available support.
Ramagwede said broader EV ownership would require action from the government, vehicle manufacturers, financiers, and charging companies.
He said making EVs a mainstream option would require government incentives to reduce purchase prices, reliable electricity, and more affordable public charging for motorists without home chargers.
He also called for a review of vehicle taxes, arguing that outdated thresholds were making entry-level vehicles unnecessarily expensive.