As motorists with diesel cars face a nearly R10 fuel hike come 1 April, new data suggests South Africans are looking for electric and hybrid alternatives.
READ: Some fuel retailers hiking diesel prices pre-emptively as demand spikes
According to AutoTrader, one of the country’s largest vehicle search platforms, enquiries for diesel-powered passenger vehicles have declined by 18% over the past four weeks.
CEO George Mienie says this is a notable change in a country where diesel has long been a preferred option for motorists focused on fuel efficiency and long-distance driving.
At the same time, interest in alternative technologies is rising sharply.
Searches for battery electric vehicles are up 45% over the same period, while hybrid searches are up 16%.
Together, Mienie says, these shifts suggest that rising fuel costs are pushing many South Africans to reconsider their reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
He says the shift is not just contained to search behaviour, but consumers are engaging with alternative options more seriously as running costs come under pressure.
But he says the growing demand for battery electric vehicles is not yet being matched by stock availability.
“BEV listings are down -3% even as demand has risen sharply, pointing to a market where supply may already be tightening. That could reflect existing stock being bought up more quickly, while some current owners choose to hold onto their BEVs as fuel prices climb.”
In contrast, diesel, petrol and hybrid stock supply have all edged higher.
“That suggests supply in the traditional market remains available, even as buyer attention begins to move elsewhere. It is that disconnect between shopper behaviour and available stock that makes this moment worth watching.”
While this doesn’t mean diesel is disappearing overnight, Mienie argues a -18% change in diesel enquiries over four weeks is a meaningful signal, especially when it is happening alongside stronger interest in electric and hybrid alternatives.
“If these trends continue, rising fuel costs may do more than squeeze household budgets. They may also have the unintended consequence of quietly accelerating South Africa’s shift towards full battery electric vehicles.”
The EV market in South Africa received a massive boost with Chinese car manufacturer BYD announcing it would invest billions of rands to expand its South African presence this year, focusing on rapid dealership growth and installing charging stations.
While not currently manufacturing locally, the BYD Dolphin Surf has officially become South Africa’s cheapest electric vehicle, starting at approximately R339,900 to R341,900.
