Thabo Nkosi 
More and more people in South Africa are liking electric cars, but they still make up less than 1% of all car buys. By 2025, folks can pick from cheaper and more varied choices thanks to new help and rules. Here are five EVs to think about, from low cost to high-end models:
- Dayun Yuehu S5: A cheap, small SUV great for city rides, goes up to 205 miles.
- BYD Dolphin: Low-cost, two range picks (211 and 265 miles), great for families.
- Dongfeng Box: A useful, big small SUV for city and short trips between cities.
- Volvo EX30: A cool, safe SUV that can go as far as 296 miles and charges fast.
- Audi Q6 e-tron: A top SUV with the newest tech, long range, and lots of comfort.
Quick Comparison:
| Model | Cost (USD) | Go (miles) | Good For | Top Thing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayun Yuehu S5 | ~$15,000 | 205 | Savers | Small, city rides |
| BYD Dolphin | ~$25,000 | 211-265 | Family people | Not pricey choices |
| Dongfeng Box | ~$30,000 | ~200 | Do-it-all types | Big inside |
| Volvo EX30 | $45,000-$50,500 | 214-296 | Safety folks | Fancy safety stuff |
| Audi Q6 e-tron | ~$75,000+ | ~300+ | Fancy folks | Top-line extras |
Each EV fits different uses, from low-cost city cars to fancy, far-going ones. Pick what suits your cash, how you drive, and what you like.
TCS | We test drive South Africa’s cheapest electric car
1. Dayun Yuehu S5
The Dayun Yuehu S5, bit more known as the Dayun S5 Mini SUV, is South Africa’s low-cost electric car in 2025. This small SUV is an easy pick for those who wish to start driving electric but can’t spend too much.
Enviro Automotive brings the S5 in and sells it via many shops all over. It targets city drivers and small company owners who need a cheap, trusty ride for town trips.
Price (ZAR/USD)
Though the full price is not out yet, the S5’s low price makes it a good pick for new electric car buyers and those looking for a cheap extra car. Its top bits and drive style are ideal for the city.
Range (205 miles/330 km)
With a 31.7 kWh battery, the S5 can go 330 kilometers (205 miles) when full. It uses up power at 10.7 kWh/100 km and can hit highs of 100 km/h (62 mph), which fits city use well. We need to see real use to know if it really hits these range marks.
Key Features
The S5’s small build is made to move through busy city ways and fit into small park spots. Its motor helps it speed up smoothly and quietly, which is great for city stop-and-go.
For small firms, the S5 is a low-cost, useful ride for local drops and moving needs. With its simple make and practical bits, it’s a cheap way to get into driving electric.
2. BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin is a low-cost electric car in South Africa’s 2025 lineup. It fits many driving needs with two different types.
Range
The Standard Range version can go up to 340 km (211 miles) on one charge, great for day-to-day city drives. If you need to go farther, the Extended Range model goes up to 427 km (265 miles), ideal for long drives or weekend trips. These choices help both city drivers and those who travel more.
3. Dongfeng Box
The Dongfeng Box is a smart pick for South African drivers who need city-ready electric cars. This small electric SUV is made to fit the needs of city life, making it good for daily travels.
It has a new infotainment system that works with smartphones and updates easily. For safety, it comes with tools like auto emergency stops and lane alerts, making drives safer. The seat setup can change, which helps it meet different city travel needs. The Dongfeng Box mixes low cost with key features, ready to take on daily city drives.
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4. Volvo EX30
The Volvo EX30 puts Swedish skill in a small SUV, mixing use with a fancy look. Made for South Africa’s many land types, it works well for trips in the city as well as fun rides on the weekend.
This SUV keeps safe like all Volvos but costs less. It is a cheap way into the electric SUV area. Let’s dig into what the EX30 offers.
Price (ZAR/USD)
The EX30 has two main types:
- Base Single Motor: Costs R850,000 ($45,000)
- Twin Motor Performance: Costs R950,000 ($50,500)
These prices make it a good mid-range pick, giving Volvo’s high-end feel without the big cost of its bigger electric SUVs.
Range (km/mi)
The EX30 lets you pick from a few ranges:
- Single Motor Extended Range: Up to 476 km (296 miles) for long trips.
- Base Single Motor: 344 km (214 miles), great for day-to-day use.
- Twin Motor Performance: 460 km (286 miles) when you need more zip.
Charging Time
Charging the EX30 is fast and easy:
- DC Fast Charging: Up to 134 kW, fills from 10% to 80% in only 26 minutes.
- Home Charging: With an 11 kW box, a full charge takes about 5.5 hours.
Key Features
Safety and tech are key in the EX30. It has:
- Advanced Safety Systems: Auto stop for emergencies, watch for blind spots, and keep the lane.
- Infotainment: A 12.3-inch screen with Google tech, smooth links, and updates from afar.
Inside, the EX30 shows off clean Nordic style with a new spin. The inside uses green stuff like reused plastic and good cloths, putting a spotlight on caring for our world. Even as a small SUV, it has 318 liters of space to hold things, which grows if you drop the back seats.
To deal with South Africa’s mixed weather, the EX30 has a heat pump system, keeping it comfy and energy-smart all year.
5. Audi Q6 e-tron
If you want a top electric car (EV) in South Africa, the Audi Q6 e-tron is a fine pick. This car shows off top German work, mixing new tech, ease, and speed to meet the needs of high-end car buyers in the area.
It is built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) frame, the Q6 e-tron shows the brand’s strong push for top quality and class.
Price
While Audi has not yet set the price, it’s sure the Q6 e-tron will be in the high-cost group. The price will match its cool parts, fine look, and long range.
Range
The Q6 e-tron is made for long rides, which is great for South Africa’s big range of lands. Its long range cuts down the need to charge often, making it easy for drivers who travel far.
Charging Skills
Need a fast boost or an all-night fill? The Q6 e-tron can do both. It lets you charge fast with high-speed DC or use home charge options for daily ease. This makes it fit for all sorts of travel needs.
Key Parts
Audi has filled the Q6 e-tron with great parts, focusing on both class and use. Big wins are a digital cockpit and a top-end infotainment system, showing Audi’s love for tech. Set parts like quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension make sure rides are smooth and sure over all kinds of lands.
Inside, the space is all about ease, with top stuff, lights you can change, and lots of room for all needs. Safety is key, with help parts like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and a 360-degree camera system to make each trip safer and easier.
Audi has also made sure the Q6 e-tron works well here, with new climate systems to keep the battery doing well in rough weather. These smart extras, mixed with its use and class, make the Q6 e-tron a top pick in South Africa’s growing EV market.
Pros and Cons
In South Africa’s 2025 electric car list, you’ll find many types, each with good and bad points. Knowing these can help you pick the best EV that fits how you live and what you can pay.
Low-cost options like the Dayun Yuehu S5 and BYD Dolphin are now easier to get. The Yuehu S5 is cheap, which makes it great for new buyers. The BYD Dolphin mixes a good price with nice parts, giving you fine tech and how far it can go for the cost.
Middle choices like the Dongfeng Box focus on being useful. This car is best for families that need a trusty, big car for day-to-day living in towns. It’s made simple, making the most of the space inside.
Top picks like the Volvo EX30 and Audi Q6 e-tron are for those who want fancy and strong cars. The EX30 shows off Volvo’s cool design and top safe things. The Audi Q6 e-tron has the newest tech and goes the farthest, but it costs a lot.
How far they go changes with the cars. Low-cost EVs often can’t go as far, fine for city rides but not for long rides over South Africa’s big lands. But the fancy cars can go much farther, which is good for long trips.
Charging fits also need a look. Most cars work with usual charging places, but the fancy ones can charge faster, cutting wait times. This matters a lot for those who travel a lot or don’t have ways to charge at home. These points show how each car does in city rides and long rides.
Below is a quick look at what’s good and bad in the lineup:
| Model | Is Best For | Top Plus | Main Minus | City Use | Long Trips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayun Yuehu S5 | Those on a budget | Cheapest cost | Short travel limit | Top-notch | Not great |
| BYD Dolphin | Deal hunters | Lots of perks for cost | OK output | Really good | So-so |
| Dongfeng Box | Big families | Room to spare inside | Basic look | Good | Good |
| Volvo EX30 | Safety-minded folk | Top-tier safety parts | More pricey | Really good | Really good |
| Audi Q6 e-tron | High-end shoppers | Farthest go, fine tech | Most costly | Top-notch | Top-notch |
For city trips, all types do well. Short trips aren’t hard because you can charge them easy at home each night.
For long drives, the changes show. The Audi Q6 e-tron does great on big roads, while the Dayun Yuehu S5 has a hard time with its small range. Mid-level cars like the Dongfeng Box give a good mix, good for some trips on the road.
Next, ongoing costs matter too. EVs are mostly cheaper to keep than cars with gas. They have less parts, don’t need oil changes, and using regenerative brakes means less wear on brake pads. But, fixing high-end types like the Audi and Volvo can cost more because of special parts and their own shop networks.
Resale value is to think about too. Big brands like Volvo and Audi keep their worth well, better than new ones like Dayun and Dongfeng. This is key if you plan to get a new car in a few years, not keep it for a long time.
Top Picks
In the end, what you pick hangs on what you need and how much you can pay.
If your budget is tight, the Dayun Yuehu S5 is a top cheap choice. It’s good for new electric car users who mostly drive in the city. Just remember its short drive range, which means you have to plan your trips well.
Want the best mix of price and what you get? The BYD Dolphin is right in the middle for cost, add-ons, and tech. It’s perfect for South African families wanting a new car without spending too much.
For families that need more room, the Dongfeng Box has the most space for people and stuff. It might not be the best looking, but it’s useful and steady for drives from one city to another.
Buyers who care a lot about safety should look closely at the Volvo EX30. Known for its top safety parts and cool design, Volvo’s name justifies the high price. Plus, it keeps its value well compared to cheaper makes.
If luxury is what you want, the Audi Q6 e-tron is tough to top. It has the latest tech, a long range, and very quick charging. If you’re okay with spending more for fancy features and don’t want to worry about range, this car is great for keeping a long time.
South Africa’s electric car scene now meets a lot of needs, from simple rides to fancy drives. For most buyers, the BYD Dolphin has the best combo of cost, add-ons, and use. But, if money is tight, the Dayun Yuehu S5 is a cheap way to get into electric cars. Both are good for local roads and charging setups, making EVs a smart pick for South African drivers.
