Here are all electric cars launched so far in 2025

From the newsletter

Italcar, the official Fiat distributor in Tunisia, on Monday announced the delivery of the first electric Fiat 500 to the Tunisian market. It is the latest of more than a dozen electric car models that have been launched in Africa in the six months to June 30. The majority of the vehicles are from China, showing its dominance of the emerging African EV market.    

• While the majority of new models are concentrated in South Africa and Egypt, others such as Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Rwanda are catching up.  

• Africa-wide EV market revenue is projected to reach $210 million in 2025, rising to $314 million by 2029.  

More details

• The Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Audi Q6 e-tron are among the EVs that were introduced in Africa this year, both launched in Egypt in April. Porsche also launched the all-electric Macan in Egypt in February. Zeekr, a Chinese automaker, launched the luxury Zeekr X and Zeekr 001 in the same month. The official distributor of the Chery brand in the Egyptian market has also announced the launch of the Chery EQ7 2026. 

• The Kia EV5, was introduced in Kenya by Kia’s official dealer Caetano in June. It adds to the growing list of EV brands already being sold by various dealers in the country such as BYD’s Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal. Other models include MG4, Neta V, Hyundai Kona and Ioniq 5. 

• South Africa has seen a large number of EV models introduced in the country, mainly Chinese brands such as the BYD Sealion 7, launched in April and the Volvo EX90 launched recently. The Dongfeng Box was launched earlier in the year in Gauteng, while other models are set to be later launched this year including the Jaecoo J6 and Audi Q6 e‑tron. 

• Ethiopia was not left behind, with China’s GAC introducing the Aion Y, a compact SUV, and ES9, a larger SUV, into the market. BYD officially entered Ethiopia earlier in the year, partnering with distributor MOENCO in Addis Ababa. Five new electric models were launched, including the Seagull, Tang, Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal. 

• India’s largest car manufacturer Tata Motors also introduced its electric cars to Africa for the first time during the period. The company started selling three models, the Tiago, Punch and Nexon EVs in Mauritius this year. Tata is also supplying electric buses to BasiGo, a Kenyan electric bus assembler.  

• In January, Burkina Faso made history by unveiling its first locally-made. The car, which is fully electric, has a 30-minute charging time and a range of 330 km (205 miles). It was made by Burkinabe automaker ITAOUA Motors SA, which is targeting to increase production of the car. 

• China currently dominates the EV landscape in Africa through its leading companies such as BYD, Zeekr, Xpeng, Dongfeng, Nio and Neta. German companies like Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes-Benz also have a significant presence, while Volvo (Sweden), Hyundai and Kia (South Korea), and Toyota, Nissan and Honda (Japan) also have a notable presence in the rapidly growing market. 

Our take

• Governments and manufacturers should invest in local EV assembly plants and adapt vehicle models to African road, climate, and energy realities such as high ground clearance, stronger suspension and AC-efficient systems. This will lower prices, create jobs, and build resilience against import disruptions.

• While EV adoption is growing in capital cities, charging deserts in secondary cities and rural areas threaten equitable access. Public-private partnerships should accelerate decentralized, solar-powered charging networks, especially in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana where electricity access is uneven.

• African countries should harmonize EV import rules, tax incentives, and technical standards like charging protocols under regional blocs like AfCFTA, ECOWAS, and EAC to attract global OEMs and reduce compliance barriers for cross-border EV commerce.