How far can EVs travel in SA?

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are more than doubling every year, with a 133% increase in EV sales in the used car market in 2023 compared with 2022.

However, SA consumers remain anxious about the distance EVs can travel on a charge on the open road. Now in its third year, AutoTrader’s annual #ElectricCarChallenge is designed to address these concerns and set a national benchmark for electric mobility in SA.

Its intention is to establish the distance EVs can achieve on a charge while travelling non-stop at 120km/h on a typically hot SA day with the aircon set at 21°C.

The 2023 results revealed that when driven non-stop from 90% battery charge down to 10%, the EVs tested typically have a range of 199.9-254.7km.

“The tests are based on SA conditions rather than the cooler European testing scenarios,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

“In addition to setting a benchmark for EV variants, the 117.5km/h, the BMW iX1 covered aim is to produce a historical 238.7km in 2hr 2min and 19sec. reference point upon which to Covering a distance of 214.5km, look back and evaluate battery the Volvo XC40 posted 1hr performance advancements 49min and 33sec at average year-on-year as battery technology speed of 116.25km/h. The GWM evolves.” Ora 400 GT did 199.9km at

In previous years, cars were average speed of 105.25km/h. driven to 0% of battery charge The hatch covered the distance (2021) or from 100% to 10% in 1hr 34min and 49sec. (2022). In 2023, EV batteries In addition, SA’s best-selling were tested from 90% down to new hybrid car, the Toyota 10% to simulate real-world conditions. Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS, was “To maintain good battery tested with the aim of recording life, EVs should not be driven fuel efficiency. The hybrid faced to lower than 10%,” he said. the same conditions as the EVs.

The challenge took place on Emulating a typical daily the Gerotek track in Pretoria on commute of 44km, tests mimicking a hot day (32°C) last November. highway driving (44km Four 2023 EVs, all priced R2.5m non-stop at the national speed or less, were put to the test — limit) and 44km stop-start city three compact SUVs (MercedesBenz style driving, were conducted. EQA 250 Progressive, The Corolla Cross produced BMW iX1 xDrive30 xLine, Volvo a consumption of 6.7l/100km XC40) and a hatchback (GWM for highway driving. That Ora 400 GT Ultra Luxury). equates to a range of 537km

The Mercedes-Benz EQA from the hybrid’s 36l tank. 250 posted a distance of Figures were even more 254.7km at average speed of favourable for city driving, 117.35km/h in 2hr 8mins minutes where it posted 4.6l/100km, or a and 53sec. Averaging range of 782km.