We spoke to Kumbirai Mtshakazi, automotive reviewer and founder of Kumbi on Cars, to unpack the sharp decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales in South Africa. According to Naamsa and Lightstone Auto, only 570 fully-electric cars were sold between January and June 2025, down 24% from 2024. Mtshakazi points to a lack of new model launches and high prices as key factors, with South Africa bucking the global trend of rising EV adoption. BYD’s unreported figures could indicate an even steeper drop.

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