It’s easy to understand why electric vehicles (EVs) are taking off relatively slowly in South Africa. EVs are still quite pricey and the national charging station network is still underdeveloped. As such, a hybrid vehicle can be a great alternative if you’d like to save some money on petrol as well as do your bit for the environment by reducing your carbon emissions, according to Ernest North, co-founder of digital insurance provider, Naked.
“A hybrid car is a great option for many reasons,” says North. “Many South Africans are sold on the idea of a hybrid that offers both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor. Hybrid cars offer better fuel efficiency, which means fewer trips to the petrol station and significant cost savings. They’re also greener, allowing you to reduce bad pollutants and noise pollution when the electric engine kicks in.
“Many South Africans are reluctant to get battery EVs because of concerns about range and where to charge them. With a hybrid, you don’t need to worry about running out of power when there’s no nearby charging station. And if you decide to get a mild or full hybrid, you won’t need to install a home charger or pay for extra electricity because these models recharge with regenerative braking.”
Data about car sales in South Africa shows that hybrid adoption is rising fast and outstripping EV sales. Sales of hybrids increased by 60% in 2023 to nearly 6,500 units, while South Africans bought just 929 pure EVs.
Different types of hybrids
Naked’s quoting data shows that South Africa’s favourite hybrids are Toyota, Haval, Lexus and BMW. Among these manufacturers, there are several different types of Hybrid, says North:
· Mild hybrids are the most common and among the most affordable.
Such vehicles usually feature a 48V electric system and an ICE. The car can’t run on electric power alone but uses the battery motor to help with things like start-up and acceleration. The battery recharges while braking and doesn’t need an external power source to be plugged into.
An example is the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 Hybrid, priced from R358,900.
· Full hybrids can run with just the electric motor.
It can operate with the ICE or electric motor together or separately. It has a bigger battery than a mild hybrid, letting you drive some distance on electric power before the ICE kicks in. Like the mild hybrid, it recharges through regenerative braking and requires no external charger.
A popular full hybrid is the Corolla Cross 1.8 XS HEV. Its starting price is R500,200.
· Plug-in hybrids are more powerful and have larger batteries.
They can run solely on electric power and are more expensive than other hybrids. They also support regenerative braking but generally need an external charger for efficiency.
The Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge will set you back a cool R1.3 million.
Some challenges
North says that while there are many benefits, hybrids have some disadvantages:
The initial cost of hybrids is higher than traditional vehicles because of their advanced technologies and
powertrains.
The combination of an ICE with an electric motor may mean higher repair and servicing costs. However, the ICE will have less wear-and-tear because it shares work with the battery motor, which may balance this out a bit.
Batteries can wear out, just like the one in your smartphone. You may need to replace the battery eventually. Ask the dealership how often the battery would need to be replaced and what it would cost.
Hybrids are usually heavier because of the battery pack. You might find the car feels heavier and less agile.
The battery takes up space, which can reduce the amount of space left in the car.
For plug-in hybrids, there are limitations on charging speeds. Plug-in hybrids can’t be recharged on fast DC chargers, which can be inconvenient. Make sure you research what you need to charge your plug-in hybrid.
In some cases, insuring a hybrid car can be slightly more expensive than insuring an ICE car of the same value because the costs of spares and parts are higher. However, this is just one of many variables that determine your premium. Factors such as your age, where you live, and the cost of your vehicle also affect the premium. You can use a digital insurance platform to get quotes to see what it might cost to insure different models.
“While there are a few challenges, many drivers will find that fuel efficiency pays back over time,” says North. He says that with the government indicating that it is considering tax rebates, subsidies and incentives for electric vehicle production in South Africa, pure EV vehicle prices may fall in the years to come. “It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on the EV sector because costs may fall sooner than many people think.”
