South Africa’s Used EV Market Accelerates – Volvo EX30 & XC40 Most Popular

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South Africa’s EV market is still quite small compared to similar markets. There are still just over 4,000 fully electric vehicles on the roads in South Africa. That’s because most of the BEVs that were available on the South African market were on the higher side of things in terms of vehicle segment, and ultimately the asking price when new. That meant a lot of South Africans were priced out of the EV market. AutoTrader South Africa, in collaboration with Smarter Mobility Africa, did a survey a couple of years ago and found that 64% of respondents stated that they would purchase an electric vehicle within the next 5 years. 72% of consumers are willing to spend up to R600,000 ($34,000) on an EV. For a long time, there were now brand new BEVs on the market that were less than R600,000). 

South Africa’s electric vehicle market for brand new vehicles is quietly gaining traction now as more models are now available on the market, as well as a couple of very good options now priced under the magic threshold of R600,000. A growing pool of vehicle models on the brand new vehicle sales market is good for the general consumer as these vehicles feed the used vehicle market. We have some data from Autotrader SA and the latest data suggests the EV market is beginning to move beyond early adopters. According to AutoTrader’s 2025 Mid-Year Industry Report, sales of battery-electric vehicles in the first half of the year increased by 65% year-on-year, a strong signal that local buyers are becoming more comfortable with electric mobility.

The growth is not spread evenly across the market. Premium models currently dominate, with Volvo’s EX30 and XC40 Recharge taking the top two spots in used EV sales. In the first half of 2025, 64 EX30s and 45 XC40 Recharges were sold, reflecting not only brand appeal but also the types of vehicles early EV buyers are choosing — compact, reliable, and practical for daily use. The report also shows that  while the GWM Ora 03 was the most frequently listed EV on AutoTrader, it only ranked seventh in actual sales during the first half of 2025. This highlights a key distinction in the market: availability doesn’t automatically translate to adoption, with buyers prioritizing factors like perceived reliability, brand familiarity, and practicality. Great Wall Motors’ Ora brand is relatively new in South Africa and most buyers would not yet be well acquainted with it. Great Wall Motors’ Haval brand is doing quite well in South Africa with its selection of ICE, HEVs, and PHEVs. Should GWM rebrand its Ora vehicles to Haval in South Africa? It could be something to try as Haval is now a household name in the South African market. 

Established brands seem to be growing interest in EVs and leading the sales charts. In the first four months of 2025, Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) reported 114 EVs sold, with the EX30 again leading the way. New models, such as the EX90 and EX30 Cross Country, and upcoming variants, such as the ES90 and EX60, are expected to expand choice and help sustain growth. So far, the Swedish brand’s success shows that familiarity, reliability, and practicality still matter most as South Africans start to embrace electric mobility on their own terms. I’ve actually driven the EX90 SUV on the Western Cape’s beautiful roads. It was such a pleasant drive. Ryan Jarret took the Volvo EX30 on a 3,000km round trip from Johannesburg to Simola Hillclimb and was quite pleased with it and can understand why it’s the most popular vehicle on these charts. 

More affordable options are now available on the South African market and are now starting to broaden access, making EV ownership attainable for a wider cross section of South Africans. The recently launched BYD Dolphin Surf, for example, has a starting price of R339,900, bringing electric motoring within reach of many first-time EV buyers. This means the South African market is finally entering a phase where EVs are no longer a niche category but a realistic alternative for everyday drivers. In a couple of years, when models such as the Dolphin Surf also enter the used vehicle market, they will open up access to electric mobility to even more South Africans. Early career professionals, new graduates, college students, and others will now also be in a position to get their first EV.

AutoTrader South Africa adds that charging infrastructure is also growing in South Africa. Infrastructure, long seen as a barrier to adoption, is finally starting to catch up. Recent reports indicate over 500 public charging points are available across South Africa, concentrated in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Private operators, such as Zero Carbon Charge, have been expanding networks along key corridors, and off-grid solar-powered sites are beginning to appear, addressing some practicality concerns. Analysts believe that the pace of infrastructure development will be critical in sustaining the momentum reflected in new and used sales data. Charge point operators are also reporting increased utilization on their networks, which will help their cause and also help attract investment into the sector.

“The growing interest in compact EVs shows that South African buyers are prioritising practicality and reliability in their choices, rather than vehicles aimed at niche markets,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director of VCSA. “As infrastructure and model availability continue to expand, we expect this segment to attract an even wider range of drivers in the coming years.”

AutoTrader South Africa adds that overall, the first half of 2025 suggests that the country’s EV market is evolving along predictable lines: early adopters remain focused on premium models, infrastructure is improving, and more affordable options are starting to open the door to broader adoption. Volvo’s strong sales illustrate how premium brands are currently shaping the South African EV market.

With infrastructure gradually improving and a wider range of EVs entering the market, South Africa appears poised to move beyond high-end EV adoption. I look forward to how the market performs in the last couple of months of the year, and also to see how the market evolves in 2026 and beyond.