3,000km EV Road Trip From Johannesburg To Simola Hillclimb To Raise EV Awareness In South Africa - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the challenges and emerging progress of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South Africa, where high import duties, taxes, and limited BEV model availability have kept prices significantly higher than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For instance, EV import taxes reach 25%, compared to 18% for ICE vehicles, and an additional ad valorem tax often doubles the cost of EVs relative to similar ICE models. This has resulted in the South African EV market being dominated by premium models, though more affordable options like the BYD Dolphin and Volvo EX30—currently the country’s bestselling BEV—are beginning to enter the market, signaling a gradual shift. To promote EV awareness and demonstrate their practicality, Ryan Jarrett undertook a 3,000 km roundtrip electric road trip from Johannesburg to the Simola Hillclimb event in a Volvo EX30. Covering multiple provinces and diverse environments, Jarrett’s journey included strategic charging stops and showcased the ease of long-distance EV travel within South Africa. The event itself featured EVs competing successfully, with some ranking among the fastest cars up the hill, underscoring the growing presence and performance of electric mobility in the country. Such initiatives aim to accelerate EV adoption by raising public awareness and confidence in electric vehicles as viable alternatives to ICE cars in South Africa.