The thought of running a car on pure electricity sounds great. Think about it – no pollution whatsoever. More and more we are hearing about the use of hybrid cars, which sometimes run on fuel and at other times on electricity. These days, most car manufacturers are committed to the production of all-electric cars. Let’s find out what they are in South Africa in 2019.
JAGUAR’S ALL-ELECTRIC I-PACE IS COMING TO SOUTH AFRICA IN 2019
Electrification of the Jaguar all started with Formula E car racing. In fact, Jaguar became the first premium manufacturer to participate in all-electric car racing, investing, in 2017, BP4.5 billion for R&D in electrification.
WHAT IS THE JAGUAR I-PACE LIKE?
The car is a 5-seater, all-electric SUV, with a single-charge range of about 500 km. It is good to know that this car is keeping the Jaguar’s sporty looks.
BUT, WHERE WILL THE JAGUAR BE ABLE TO GET RECHARGED?
The implementation of the electric Jaguar I-Pace in 2019 in South Africa will mean that Jaguar will install electric facilities at all its outlets. Nothing would be more frustrating for an electric Jaguar owner having to hunt for a place to recharge the car’s batteries. In order to create incentives, Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa was to engage in 2018 with the Electric Vehicle Industry Association (EVIA) for obtaining lower taxes on such vehicles.
AUDI IS SET TO LAUNCH ITS FULLY ELECTRIC e-TRON CAR IN 2019
Audi is poised to release a fully electric car in 2019 in South Africa, and considers that many other manufacturers will also be on the scene with their electric cars. Although much activity is expected regarding electric cars over the next 10 years, Audi believes that fuel-powered cars will still be with us for quite some time. The challenge is to create the necessary charging infrastructure, which includes high power charging stations, and separate battery storage facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Audi does not wish South Africa to lag behind Europe.
THE ELECTRIC MERCEDES-BENZ IS ABOUT TO LAND ON OUR SHORES
Mercedes-Benz’s new EQ EV model will be launched in South Africa in 2019, with sales expected to commence in 2020. Its battery range is about 450 km.
WHAT IS THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT’S SCHEDULE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES?
The South African Government was awaiting future expansion of electric vehicle development. Regulations are already in place to cater for the use of electric vehicles on South African roads.
SOME CHALLENGES FACING THE FULL INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC CARS TO SOUTH AFRICA
They say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It’s one thing having a wonderful, electric car land on our shores, but it’s a totally different thing when there is insufficient infrastructure countrywide for charging such cars. On the other hand, manufacturers are perhaps considering taking ‘baby steps’ in the beginning, by introducing a few cars serviced by limited infrastructure. There’s no point having charging stations at just about every dealership with only a few electric cars to service.
IS THE GOVERNMENT INTERESTED IN SEEING ELECTRIC CARS ON OUR ROADS?
According to Cars.co.za, the Government is only really interested in the extra revenue generated from import duty. It would make sense that the opposite of a carbon levy on fuel-powered cars would be an incentive to bring in electric cars. Unfortunately, this is not the case at present, unlike in the EU.
EU COUNTRIES PROVIDE A SUBSIDY FOR ELECTRIC CAR PURCHASES
In order to incentivize the purchase of electric cars in the European Union, some countries have exempted those people purchasing electric cars from registration tax, annual circulation tax, and company car tax. In other cases, cash incentives are made available.3 The only country in Africa that has supported the use of electric cars is Morocco, which has exempted owners from paying customs duties since 2017.
It’s only a matter of time when more and more electric cars will be used worldwide. When you do buy your new electric car in South Africa, remember to protect it with PMD’s affordable car insurance.
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.