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Why are South Africa’s electric car sales declining?

July 20, 2025

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Electric car sales in South Africa fell by 24% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to new sales data from industry lobby Naamsa. This marks the first decline in EV sales since the Covid-19 pandemic. The data shows that 570 fully-electric cars were sold between January and June 2025, down from 749 cars sold in H1 of 2024. 

  • Elevated EV prices drove the decline, as new fuel vehicles recorded a 13.6% increase in sales during the same period. The lack of cheaper electric car models launched in the country during the period also limited sales.  

  • South Africa is deviating from the majority of African countries, where sales have been growing fast. Africa’s leading EV markets, especially Egypt, are recording increased sales in 2025. 

  • Our take: The planned launches of new electric car models priced below 1 million Rand should boost sales… Read more (2 min)

Electric motorcycles made by Roam have a dual power source. Riders are able to carry two batteries. Each of them can run for up to 90 km, creating a total range of 180 km. This highlights how Roam is betting on high-capacity rechargeable batteries, even as its competitors favour battery swapping. Mobility Rising spoke with Roam’s Head of Strategy and Innovation Hans Van Toor. 

  • Mr Van Toor was an investor in Roam before he joined the firm on a full-time basis in 2023. Tasked with steering innovation at the startup, he also chairs the electric mobility sub-sector at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).  

  • He says rechargeable batteries mean electric motorcycles can be driven anywhere. “Obviously that's not possible with swapping stations, because if you don't have a swapping station, how are you going to drive?”

  • Read the full interview here… (4 min)

Mobility Rising has compiled a list of 13 major events that will be held between by September. Five of them are mobility-specific, while the remaining eight are adjacent events in sectors such as clean energy, trade and sustainability. The lineup includes gatherings hosted by countries leading in EV adoption including Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Ethiopia.

  • Among the most high-profile events is the 2nd Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia on 8th September. It promises to attract global investors, officials and innovators.

  • The Morocco Electric Mobility and After-Market Show and the Battery Metals Forum in DR Congo will appeal to companies looking to advance battery tech. 

  • Click here to see the full list… (2 min)

ZEMIA’s President Kabayo Muhau (right) attends an investment forum in Zambia

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Various 

🔌 Rubicon installs a new 150kW fast EV charger in South Africa

🚗 Ghanaian government plans to introduce EVs for its public institutions

💲 This is how much it will cost to replace an EV battery in South Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Yuma Sasaki, Dodai’s CEO, says, “We need to cultivate a holistic ecosystem encompassing not just vehicles, but also essential components like assembly facilities, after-sales services, and digital payment systems.”