IN THE NEWS
Enviro Automotive that announces the arrival of South Africa’s first fully electric 4×4 and 4×2 pick up, the Riddara RD6.
“’The ICE Age is over with the arrival of the new Riddara RD6”, states Gideon Wolfaardt, CEO of the Enviro Automotive Group.
Truck Driver Safety & Wellness Symposium Unveils Robust Programme for May Event
The SaferStops Association, in collaboration with 23 private and public sector partners, is excited to announce an extensive and comprehensive programme for the upcoming Truck Driver Safety & Wellness Symposium, scheduled for 8-9th of May at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.
Grindrod Logistics in Partnership with Maersk Achieves Unprecedented ISO Certifications
This remarkable achievement underscores Grindrod Logistics’ commitment to operational excellence, supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.
Avoid road trip hassles: Must-know road trip tips from WesBank
With school holidays underway and the Easter weekend fast approaching, many South Africans are preparing for road trips to reconnect with family and explore new destinations. To help ensure a smooth and stress-free journey, WesBank urges drivers to prioritise safety by planning ahead and making necessary vehicle checks before setting off.
EDITOR BLOG
There can no doubt that the face of motoring in South Africa is changing and is in keeping with the shifting landscape globally. The rise of NEV’s (New Energy Vehicles) is the result of the outcry all over the world for cleaner transportation, fuel price volatility, stricter omission regulation as well as the demand for advances in battery technology, electric motors and charging infrastructure, whilst in South Africa with our long distances is our biggest challenge.
The understanding of NEV spectrum requires careful study as the different combinations can be somewhat confusing to the average motorist.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV’s) combine a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor and battery. The battery is recharged through regenerative braking.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV’s) also combine an ICE with an electric motor and battery, but they can be plugged into a power source to recharge. They offer a longer electric-only range than HEV’s, allowing for emission free short trips.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV’s) are power by an electric motor and battery. They offer a quiet smooth driving experience, while producing zero tail-pipe emissions.
The benefits of the NEV’s for South Africa motorists: Reduced running costs, lower maintenance cost, environmental friendliness, smooth and quiet driving.
There are however numerous barriers for the introduction of NEV’s in South Africa such as higher purchase price, limited public charging infrastructure and range anxiety. In spite of all this according to the Automotive Business Council, there has been significant growth in NEV’s sold to date. A total of 15611 units sold. As more affordable models are introduced NEV’s will be seen increasingly as a viable mobility option for car buyers in South Africa.
Pierre Sanson
Issue 3 – 2025
MAGAZINE
