IN THE NEWS
Efficiency, Electrification and Intelligence Set to Shape New Era of Road Transport
South Africa’s road transport industry is entering a period of significant change, with rising operating costs, new energy technologies and rapid advances in digitalisation placing greater emphasis on efficiency, vehicle productivity and lifecycle costs
South Africa’s R30-per-litre fuel price milestone drives growing interest in EV’s
As South Africa’s fuel price breaches the R30-per-litre mark, motorists and businesses are re-evaluating the long-term cost of vehicle ownership, placing electric vehicles (EVs) firmly in the spotlight.
HERITAGE ADVENTURE: ISUZU D-MAX TOWS THE EQUIVALENT OF A HIPPO FROM CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG
An ISUZU D-MAX has put its towing capability to the test, hauling a 1.8-tonne caravan more than 4,500 km from Cape Town to Johannesburg as part of Radio Sonder Grense’s (RSG) Kultuur Karavaan campaign.
Hammer blow to road freight logistics with October fuel price hike: What this means for the road logistics sector and consumer
Every litre of fuel consumed on South Africa’s roads reflects the underlying health of the country’s logistics economy.
EDITOR BLOG
Fuel Price, Driving the growth of EV’s
Sales in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments reflected a positive performance during March 2026. Medium commercial vehicle sales at 823 units recorded a 14,0% increase compared to the 722 units sold in March 2025, while heavy trucks and buses, at 2,310 units, reflected a 14,5% increase compared to the 2,017 units sold in March 2025. Investment decisions in these segments remain closely linked to infrastructure spending, freight volumes, electricity costs, and overall business confidence.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues to lead the way in specialized trucking solutions. With a legacy of engineering excellence and a commitment to meeting the toughest transport challenges.
Electric vehicle sales are on the increase despite the slow growth in infrastructure to support this market. Companies like Conti are developing tyres for the Electric Vehicles and we look at their innovations in this issue.
The South African motoring public is spoilt for choice when it comes to electric vehicles with the current array of some 30 fully electric vehicles available. Hybrid vehicles are also in the mix and appear to provide an alternative and a more practical solution for anyone venturing into the realm of electric/ ICE motoring.
However, one of the major hurdles continues to be pricing which is not unique to the South African market. Most manufacturers using the newer technologies such as lithium for batteries have found they are not as readily available as components for ICE mass produced vehicles. The economies of scale are not quite there for electric vehicles in the short term.
On the other side of the coin, the electric commercial vehicle market is expanding rapidly as logistics, public transport and fleet operators shift towards solutions for more sustainable mobility.
Some manufacturers like DFSK have provided alternatives with their D35 Panel Van, offering both electric and gas operated alternatives featured in this issue.
There is no doubt that transport in the various guises has been a dominant factor in producing greenhouse gas emissions, therefore a shift to EV’s is the only way
to decarbonise the atmosphere and lead the way to
economic and environmental transformation.
Acknowledgement to naamsa for vehicle statistics.
Pierre Sanson
Issue 08 – 2026
MAGAZINE
