- Fuel price breaches R30 per litre.
- NEV sales up 53% to 7,065 units.
- Battery electric sales up 135%.
- Figures cover January to April 2026.
- Volvo points buyers to its PHEV range.
South Africa’s fuel price has passed R30 per litre, and Volvo Car South Africa says the milestone is pushing motorists and businesses to rethink the long-term cost of owning a vehicle, with electric vehicles drawing more attention.
The record price arrives as sales of new energy vehicles grow in South Africa. Industry data shows sales of battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hybrids rose 53% year-on-year to 7,065 units between January and April 2026, while battery electric vehicle sales grew by 135% over the same period.
Running costs shape buying decisions
Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa, said that when fuel exceeds R30 per litre, running costs become a much bigger consideration. “South Africans are looking beyond the purchase price of a vehicle and paying closer attention to the total cost of ownership, including fuel, maintenance and long-term operating expenses,” he said.
EV searches and sales data in South Africa
Industry reports point to more online searches for electric vehicles in South Africa, suggesting more motorists are looking at alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles. Fuel prices remain volatile, while research shows the cost of powering an electric vehicle can be substantially lower than refuelling a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle.
Data from naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, shows sustained growth in new energy vehicle adoption in the country, reflecting greater consumer awareness and wider availability of models.
Volvo plug-in hybrids as a middle step
Locke said affordability and operating costs are becoming as important as environmental considerations in driving adoption, but acknowledged that not every buyer is ready for a purely electric vehicle. He said Volvo offers a range of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which pair electric driving with a petrol engine, to give buyers options that suit where they are in moving to electrification.
“The conversation around EVs is no longer only about sustainability. It’s increasingly about economics,” Locke said. Buyers weighing a switch can look at Volvo’s electric and plug-in hybrid models at its South African dealers.
Supplied by QuickPic (Volvo Car)
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