South African EV buyers prioritise cost savings over environmental concerns, poll shows

South Africans are not buying electric cars to be eco-warriors. They are buying them to save money — and to go faster.

That is the clear message from EV owners across the country. In a poll of a local electric vehicle group, 74% said lower running costs were the main reason for switching. Only 6% said environmental impact was their top reason.

Lower Running Costs Drive EV Adoption

At current prices, charging with Eskom electricity costs about half per kilometre compared to petrol. Drivers who use solar pay even less. An average EV consumes about 19kWh per 100km. That works out to 0.1786kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre when powered by Eskom.

By comparison, the average petrol car emits 0.2368kg per kilometre when fuel production is included — about 33% more.

Performance Rivals Luxury Petrol Models

Performance is the second-biggest reason buyers switch. The Volvo EX30 twin-motor model delivers 315kW and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. At launch, a comparable petrol rival, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, cost hundreds of thousands more while consuming far more fuel to match performance.

Even Lucid Motors CEO Marc Winteroff has argued that automakers focus too much on “green” messaging. He says brands should highlight technology, power, and driving experience instead.

Owners appear to agree. Twelve percent of poll respondents said faster acceleration was their main reason for buying.

Environmental Debate Continues

South Africa relies heavily on coal power. Eskom emits roughly 0.94 tonnes of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour.

Even so, lifetime emissions from EVs remain lower than petrol vehicles. While production impact is higher, operational savings offset this over time. For many buyers, the math is simple, lower fuel bills today, stronger performance now, and cleaner air over time.

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