Towards an inclusive rollout of electric vehicles in South Africa

Electric vehicles (EVs) increasingly feature on the roads of the world. Pushed by environmental regulations, support programmes and improving economics, they are set to become dominant in the coming decades. Yet, the rollout of EVs risks leaving many behind. This policy brief considers the rollout of EVs in South Africa, focusing on the
opportunity to foster an inclusive transition to e-mobility for passenger transport. Given the structure of the South African economy, a dual strategy is required. The brief first looks at how an inclusive rollout of passenger cars could be incentivised in South Africa, effectively to sway entry-level buyers (i.e. upper middle-income households) to purchase EVs instead of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It then considers how to introduce EVs into public transport, to extend the benefits of e-mobility to low-income and lower middle-income households in the country.