AutoTrader data shows South Africans are warming up to EVs, but the real shift is only just beginning

If higher fuel prices were meant to push South Africans more decisively toward electric vehicles, the latest used car data from AutoTrader shows that it is happening, just not all at once.

Looking at Q1 2026 versus Q1 2025, the shift is clearer when you focus on Consumer Advert Views (CAVs). These aren’t just vague searches, they reflect people spending time on actual listings rather than passive browsing, and that kind of engagement is definitely up. The Volvo EX30, for example, moved from 40,337 views to 43,362, an increase of +7.5%, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge climbed from 23,077 to 28,566, up +23.8% year-on-year. Even the BMW iX, which sits higher up the price ladder, grew from 29,862 to 38,686 views, a jump of +29.5%. Interest is not only growing, it’s becoming more focused.

Shifting Interest Towards New Entrants

What has changed in 2026, however, is where that interest is going. The appearance of Chinese models such as the BYD Dolphin Surf (65,442 views) and the Atto 3 (22,350 views) is significant. These are not fringe entries either; they are pulling serious attention and, importantly, converting into sales. The Dolphin Surf, for instance, saw 35 recorded sales, placing it third overall, while the Atto 3 moved 15 units in the same period.

This indicates that the narrative of EVs being purely premium products has started to shift, thanks to the arrival of more affordable Chinese electric vehicles on the used vehicle market. There is still a strong presence at the top end, though, with the aforementioned iX averaging just over R1 million, and still managing to sell 19 units during the same period. There is now a clearer spread of options attracting different types of buyers.

Sales Growth And Market Movement

Overall, on the sales side, the gains are steady but meaningful. The Volvo XC40 Recharge jumps from 24 units sold in Q1 2025 to 41 in Q1 2026, an increase of +70.8%, which is one of the more notable moves in the dataset. The EX30, already the top seller, edges up from 35 to 43 units, a +22.9% rise. Even older models like the Mini Hatch and BMW i3 show continued movement, with the i3 posting 19 sales, despite being the oldest EV listed, with an average registration age of nine years.

Closing The Gap Between Interest And Sales

What’s interesting is how the gap between views and sales is starting to tighten. In Q1 2025, there was strong interest, but it didn’t necessarily translate into sales. In Q1 2026, while the gap was still there, it appears buyers are moving further down the funnel. Buyers are no longer just browsing EVs, they are comparing specific models, looking at pricing, mileage, and age, and in more cases, actually buying.

“Electric vehicles are following a familiar adoption curve,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “What we’re seeing now is the early stages of market maturity, where interest is broadening, supply is improving, and buyers are becoming more informed. That combination is what ultimately drives sustainable growth, not short-term spikes. As more models enter the market and the used pipeline strengthens, the pace of adoption should become more consistent over time.”

Pricing And Vehicle Profile Trends

There are also some encouraging signs in the makeup of the cars themselves. The 2026 list is dominated by one- to four-year-old vehicles with low mileage. In Q1, the EX30 averaged 6,031 km and the BYD Dolphin Surf 4,535 km, making them easier for buyers to justify compared to older, higher-mileage EVs.

Price is still a factor, though. Even the more accessible options can’t be called cheap, with the Dolphin Surf averaging R349,961, and the larger Dolphin R474,904. But compared to where the market was, there is at least a growing middle ground that’s forming.

Outlook For EV Adoption

Taken together, the data doesn’t point to a surge, but it’s clearly not stagnant either. There is a steady build underway. As more affordable EVs enter the market, and fuel prices remain under pressure, consumers are even more likely to engage with EV listings. As a result, sales should continue to tick up gradually.

South Africans are slowly becoming more comfortable with EV ownership, and that growing familiarity is starting to show in both engagement and sales.

Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 - 31 March 2026 AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 - 31 March 2025