Online Reporter
WE are seeing an increasing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on our roads, but how popular have they become compared with traditional petrol and diesel models?
New data released in South Africa last week sheds some light on new energy vehicles (NEVs) and the share of the sales market they command in 2026.
It also shows that hybrid vehicles remain significantly more popular than fully electric vehicles (EVs).
According to Naamsa, a total of 13 193 NEVs were sold in South Africa between January and June 2026, representing 4,1 percent of the total new vehicle market.
Hybrids dominate NEV sales
Just over half of NEV sales were conventional hybrid vehicles, with 6 667 units sold during the first half of the year, giving them a 50,5 percent share of the NEV market.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) followed with 4 623 units sold, accounting for a 35 percent share, while battery electric vehicles (BEVs) achieved a 14,4 percent NEV share with 1 903 sales.
Naamsa also released sales figures for June, showing that NEVs’ share of the total market had grown to 5,5 percent.
The industry sold 3 045 NEVs during the month, representing year-on-year growth of 104,2 percent.
Conventional hybrids remained dominant in the NEV category in June, accounting for a 48,9 percent share with 1 488 sales.
PHEVs followed with 990 units sold and a 32,5 percent share, while BEVs recorded 419 sales for a 13,8 percent share.
Commercial electric vehicles accounted for the remaining 148 sales, representing a 4,9 percent share.
Naamsa said sustained growth across all three technology categories demonstrates that consumers are increasingly embracing electrified vehicles, as awareness and the sheer amount of NEV options grow.
“The current market composition also provides important insight into South Africa’s electrification trajectory,” said Naamsa.
“Rather than making a rapid transition to battery-electric vehicles, the domestic market is following a technology-diverse pathway, with hybrid technologies continuing to make the largest contribution to electrified vehicle uptake.
“This reflects prevailing market conditions, including affordability considerations, consumer driving patterns, charging infrastructure availability and technology choice.”
However, the industry organisation cautioned that South Africa’s policy framework for the motor industry should remain “technology neutral”, allowing manufacturers and consumers to adopt the most appropriate vehicle technologies as the market evolves.
Growing interest in EVs
Separate data from AutoTrader suggests that interest in EVs is accelerating in South Africa, albeit from a low base.
Research published by OLX Group shows that EV leads on the platform increased by 154,6 percent year on year in June 2026, the second-highest growth rate among the five markets analysed.
That said, South Africa remains at an earlier stage of EV adoption than European markets, with Chinese brands currently attracting demand mainly for petrol and hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs) rather than electric models.
Chinese automakers accounted for 7,31 percent of demand among Chinese brands on the platform — the highest share across the markets studied — but only 0,3 percent of that demand related to EVs.
Affordability fuelling demand
However, Chinese brands are expected to play an important role in South Africa’s eventual transition to EVs, as they continue to introduce more affordable models. — IOL Motoring
