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Real South African electricity tariffs, live fuel prices and every EV on sale locally, in one place. See exactly what switching costs and what it saves.
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EXPLORE
Charging cost, range and time for any EV
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SA-specific calculators
The numbers speak for themselves
SA-specific data
Provincial electricity tariffs and local fuel prices, not overseas averages.
Built by an owner
Every assumption comes from daily life with an electric car in South Africa.
Always current
Fuel prices and vehicle line-ups are refreshed as the market changes.
NEW CALCULATOR
How much solar do you actually need?
Answer a few questions about your home, your appliances and your municipality, and get a realistic array size, battery recommendation and monthly saving, based on South African sun hours and installed costs.
Try the solar calculator
NEW CALCULATOR
How many days of water security do you have?
Work out how much rain your roof can capture, what tank size fits your household, and how many days you could run without municipal supply.
Try the water calculatorCommon questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle in South Africa?
Charging costs depend on your electricity tariff and the EV's battery size. Home charging typically costs R2.50-R4.00 per kWh, so a full charge for a 60 kWh battery is around R150-R240. Public DC fast charging is more expensive, usually R5-R8 per kWh.
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a petrol car in South Africa?
In almost all cases, yes. A typical petrol car costs R1.50-R2.00 per kilometre in fuel, while an EV costs R0.30-R0.60 per kilometre on home electricity, a saving of up to 70%.
Which electric vehicles are available in South Africa?
Popular local options include the BYD Dolphin, BYD Atto 3, Volvo EX30, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQA and Mini Cooper SE, with prices starting under R600,000.
Can I charge an EV with solar panels?
Yes. Many South African owners charge from rooftop solar, cutting running costs to near zero. A 5-10 kW home system can comfortably charge an EV during the day.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
A 7 kW home wall box takes roughly 6-10 hours for a full charge, ideal overnight. Public DC fast chargers of 50-150 kW reach 80% in 30-60 minutes.
Where can I find EV charging stations in South Africa?
The network keeps growing, with stations from GridCars, Audi Charge, BMW ChargeNow and others across the major cities and national routes. Our charging map shows what is near you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle in South Africa?
Charging costs depend on your electricity tariff and the EV's battery size. Home charging typically costs R2.50-R4.00 per kWh, so a full charge for a 60 kWh battery is around R150-R240. Public DC fast charging is more expensive, usually R5-R8 per kWh.
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a petrol car in South Africa?
In almost all cases, yes. A typical petrol car costs R1.50-R2.00 per kilometre in fuel, while an EV costs R0.30-R0.60 per kilometre on home electricity, a saving of up to 70%.
Which electric vehicles are available in South Africa?
Popular local options include the BYD Dolphin, BYD Atto 3, Volvo EX30, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQA and Mini Cooper SE, with prices starting under R600,000.
Can I charge an EV with solar panels?
Yes. Many South African owners charge from rooftop solar, cutting running costs to near zero. A 5-10 kW home system can comfortably charge an EV during the day.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
A 7 kW home wall box takes roughly 6-10 hours for a full charge, ideal overnight. Public DC fast chargers of 50-150 kW reach 80% in 30-60 minutes.
Where can I find EV charging stations in South Africa?
The network keeps growing, with stations from GridCars, Audi Charge, BMW ChargeNow and others across the major cities and national routes. Our charging map shows what is near you.