The Price Revolution Driving PHEV Sales South Africa
Just a year ago, in 2024, the BMW iX1 crossover was the most affordable PHEV. It was priced at over R1.1 million. This high entry cost limited market penetration. However, the scene changed dramatically by the end of 2025. There were then 12 distinct PHEV models priced under R1 million in South Africa. This represented a massive increase in consumer choice and affordability. The most affordable among these new entries was the BYD Sealion 5. It launched with a starting price of just R499,900. This is less than half the price tag of the BMW iX1 from the previous year. This single model made a type of car R600,000 cheaper in South Africa. This significant price reduction democratized access to PHEV technology. It also signaled a strong competitive shift in the market. Beyond the BYD Sealion 5, several other models joined the sub-R700,000 bracket. These included the Geely E5 EM-i, Chery Tiggo 7 CSH PHEV, BYD Sealion 06, Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS, and Omoda C7 1.5T SHS PHEV. These new, aggressively priced options offered compelling value. They quickly captured the attention of South African consumers looking for fuel-efficient and environmentally friendlier vehicles.
A Remarkable Surge in PHEV Adoption
This market shake-up directly boosted PHEV sales South Africa. The first 10 months of 2025 saw sales roughly triple compared to the entire 2024. This indicates a rapid acceleration in adoption. Data from the National Automobile Association of South Africa (Naamsa) confirms this trend. Between January and October 2025, 2,135 new PHEVs were registered. This is a substantial increase. This figure represents a 189% increase over the 738 units sold in all of 2024. It also marks an astounding 480% jump over the 368 units sold in 2023. These numbers highlight the growing consumer interest. They also show the expanding availability of these vehicles. The actual sales figures could even be higher. BYD has not yet released its official sales data. Beyond the Sealion 5, the powerful BYD Shark 6 bakkie also launched in early 2025. It has captured significant public attention.
Shifting Tides: EVs, Hybrids, and PHEVs
The rise of PHEVs contrasts sharply with other new energy vehicle segments. In 2024, PHEV sales were roughly half that of fully-electric models. However, in just the first 10 months of 2025, PHEVs outsold fully-electric cars by nearly 1,000 units. This shows a clear shift in consumer preference. South Africa's fully-electric car sales struggled in 2025. They declined to 902 units from 1,144 sold over the same period in 2024. This decline suggests ongoing challenges for pure EVs. These challenges include range anxiety and charging infrastructure concerns. For more on related infrastructure developments, one might consider the implications of the Nersa Launches Fixed Electricity Charges Inquiry. The appeal of traditional hybrids also seems to be waning. These vehicles offer excellent fuel consumption. A small battery provides additional power. However, they can only be charged via their engines or regenerative braking. Year-to-date hybrid sales stood at 10,427 units by the end of October 2025. This was down over 300 units from the same period in 2024. The year appears set to conclude with the first annual decline in hybrid sales since the Covid-19 pandemic. This further emphasizes the unique growth of plug-in hybrids.
New Energy Vehicle Sales in South Africa (2021-2025 YTD)
Let's examine the broader trend of new energy vehicle (NEV) sales
2021: Fully-electric 218, Plug-in hybrids 54, Hybrids 624. Total: 896.
2022: Fully-electric 502, Plug-in hybrids 126, Hybrids 4,066. Total: 4,694.
2023: Fully-electric 929, Plug-in hybrids 368, Hybrids 6,487. Total: 7,784.
2024 (Full Year): Fully-electric 1,257, Plug-in hybrids 738, Hybrids 13,616. Total: 15,611.
2025 YTD (Jan-Oct): Fully-electric 902, Plug-in hybrids 2,135, Hybrids 10,427. Total: 13,464.
Comparing the first 10 months of 2024 to 2025 shows clear trends
Fully-electric: 1,144 units (2024 YTD) vs. 902 units (2025 YTD), a -21% change.
Plug-in hybrids: 546 units (2024 YTD) vs. 2,135 units (2025 YTD), a +291% change.
Hybrids: 10,739 units (2024 YTD) vs. 10,427 units (2025 YTD), a -3% change.
Total NEV: 12,429 units (2024 YTD) vs. 13,464 units (2025 YTD), an +8% change.
The Appeal of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
This trend suggests a growing interest among South African car buyers. They seem keen to experience battery-powered driving. However, many may still have reservations about fully-electric vehicles. Concerns about sufficient range and the public fast-charging infrastructure persist. This infrastructure may not yet support hassle-free long-distance travel. PHEVs offer a practical compromise, providing a 'best of both worlds' solution. PHEVs deliver many benefits of fully-electric models. These include instantaneous torque and smoother driving. They also offer lower running costs. Crucially, they provide the peace of mind of a traditional petrol tank. This eliminates range anxiety for many drivers. For a broader perspective on vehicle running costs, you might find insight in the October 2025 Fuel Price Changes Announced. All new PHEV models available in South Africa offer a significant all-electric range. Their WLTP range varies from around 50km to 180km. Even the entry-level BYD Sealion 5 can cover the average South African motorist's daily commute of 43km. This is achievable without using any petrol. This makes daily driving highly economical and emission-free. One specific type of PHEV is gaining traction: the range-extender electric vehicle (REEV). REEVs prioritize electric driving even more. They use a small petrol generator solely to charge the battery. This battery then powers the electric motor. Examples include the Leapmotor C10 and Changan Hunter REEV. Both were introduced in South Africa in 2025. They are priced under R800,000, adding to the diverse and affordable PHEV lineup.
Leading the Charge: Top PHEV Brands
While Chinese carmakers have performed admirably, BMW continues to lead PHEV sales in South Africa. This is notable, as none of the Chinese brands had market options in 2024. BMW recorded a substantial increase in PHEV exports during the year. Between January and October 2025, BMW exported 27,905 units. This is a nearly 19-fold increase over the 1,493 units exported in the same period last year. This highlights BMW's strong global position in the PHEV market. In contrast, Mercedes-Benz's PHEV exports saw a decline. They dropped from 4,358 units in the first 10 months of 2024 to 2,764 units over the same period in 2025. This reduction is likely due to increased tariffs imposed by the US on South African goods. This illustrates the impact of international trade policies on the automotive industry.
Top-Selling PHEV Brands in South Africa (Jan-Oct 2025)
Here’s a summary of the top-selling PHEV brands in South Africa for the first 10 months of 2025:
1. BMW: 585 sales
2. Chery: 499 sales
3. Omoda and Jaecoo: 427 sales
4. GWM: 325 sales
5. Volvo: 149 sales
6. Toyota: 60 sales
7. Scuderia: 33 sales
8. Mercedes Benz: 27 sales
9. Jaguar Land Rover: 17 sales
10. Porsche: 10 sales
The dramatic increase in PHEV sales in South Africa signifies a pivotal moment. Consumers are embracing these versatile vehicles. The combination of falling prices, expanded model choices, and practical benefits positions PHEVs as a dominant force. They are shaping the future of mobility in the region. This trend is set to continue as more manufacturers introduce competitive models.