Where hybrids accelerate faster than pure EVs

May 28, 2025

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Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales jumped 80% in Q1 of 2025 in South Africa, even as sales of pure electric vehicles slumped 16%. Fresh industry data shows that 276 electric vehicles were sold during the period, a decline from 330 in Q1 of 2024. On the other hand, PHEVs surged in popularity, with 241 units sold compared to 141 units during the same period last year. 

  • PHEVs are gaining popularity in Africa, where EV infrastructure is still developing. They offer the flexibility of running on electricity for short trips while relying on fuel for longer distances, making them more practical in areas with limited charging stations.

  • The growing popularity of PHEVs poses a threat to the sales of pure EVs as they are also cheaper. However, declining prices and the increase in charging stations across Africa may give pure EVs an edge over PHEVs in the long term.

  • Our take: To accelerate sales of pure EVs, African countries that offer PHEVs similar subsidies and tax cuts as EVs should withdraw the benefits… Read more (2 min)

Up to 90% of vehicles imported into Africa are second-hand, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). However, most of the electric vehicles imported into the continent are new. This is changing, as falling prices in the major EV manufacturing markets such as China is boosting the volumes of used EVs being brought to Africa.

  • The main reason for the popularity of second-hand vehicles is that they are way cheaper than new ones. This is especially true for EVs, whose rate of depreciation is faster, as this survey by MyBroadband shows. 

  • While cost-effective, used EVs have major disadvantages. The biggest one is that their batteries are often significantly depreciated. Batteries are the single most important part of an EV, and a battery in poor health negatively affects the user experience. It is also very costly to buy a new battery.   

  • Our take: Africa’s used EV growth will depend on prices, policies, and consumer patience dynamics... Read more (2 min)

Policy Tracker: EV firms face mixed bag of rule changes

Electric bicycles, motorcycles, buses and lithium-ion batteries will cost more in Kenya if a proposed amendment to the law is passed by Parliament. The Finance Bill, 2025 has proposed to scrap VAT exemption on the products effective July. This is one of 16 major policy proposals and changes in the EV sector that Mobility Rising has tracked this year. 

  • Our analysis shows that nine of the policies have the potential to have a very positive impact for the electric mobility sector in relevant countries, three could have a very negative impact, two may have a moderately negative impact, while two are neutral.

  • The majority of the policy proposals and changes relate to taxes and levies, with a number of countries introducing tax cuts for EVs, completely knocked down (CKD) or semi-knockdown (SKD) components and charging equipment to boost the sector. 

  • Our take: A successful EV transition in Africa will require a multi-faceted strategy that includes not only financial incentives but also consumer education and safety regulations…Read more (2 min)

Justin Coetzee, Founder of fleet management company GoMetro (second right), poses with other panellists in South Africa.

Events

🗓️ Register for Women in E-Mobility Network Webinar (June 4)

🗓️ Sign up for Transport Evolution Forum in South Africa (June 17)

🗓️ Participate in the EV Mobility Expo in Kenya (Dec 4)

 

Jobs

💼 Join Spiro as a Marketing Manager (Uganda)

🚙 Become a Fleet Operations Coordinator at BasiGo (Rwanda)

💵 Apply for Accounts Associate role at BasiGo (Rwanda)

Various 

🚘 Omoda & Jaecoo EV models launched in Mauritius

🏅 Spiro recognised by Enterprise Bureau as one of the Top 5 Startups in 2025

🚍 South Africa receives the second batch of 30 BYD buses

Seen on LinkedIn

Tanaka Kutama, a business consultant, says, “Most people are expecting incentives before considering buying an electric vehicle or being an early adopter. My question is if you reduce emissions isn’t it a healthy lifestyle and incentive for you?”