VehicleSA

Electric vs petrol cost comparison in South Africa

Prices as of October 2026

Entry-trim vs entry-trim comparisons using current VehicleSA list prices, shared finance assumptions (72 months, 10% deposit, 35% balloon, 10.75% APR), inland 95 ULP, and home electricity at R3.50/kWh. Equipment differs between trims.

How we ran the numbers

Petrol and hybrid consumption come from the VehicleSA database. Pure EV consumption uses the manufacturer figure where available, or a verified battery÷WLTP estimate from the brand's South African specification sheet when that figure is missing. Every pure EV total includes a home-charger cost.

Compare by segment

Comparison 1: Budget city cars

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL vs BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort EV

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort EVElectric

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort EV

30.08 kWh · 232 km WLTP

R341 900

new price

Consumption13.2 kWh/100km
Finance est.R4 627/month
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLPetrol

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL

R228 900

new price

Consumption4.4 L/100km
Finance est.R3 098/month

Adjust your inputs

Monthly km driven1 500 km
Electricity (R/kWh)R3.50
Petrol price (R/L)R30.25

Monthly fuel / energy cost

EV
R693
Petrol
R1 997

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort EV

R5 556

R4 627 finance + R693 energy + R236 charger

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL

R5 095

R3 098 finance + R1 997 fuel

Extra deposit (EV vs petrol)R11 300 more
Monthly fuel/energy savingR1 068/month (EV energy + charger vs petrol)
Monthly total: petrol cheaper byR461/month
Km/month where EV total cost breaks even~2 000 km/month

Home charging assumed (R236/month charger).

At 1500 km/month petrol is cheaper by about R461/month.

Breakeven is about 2 000 km/month — above the South African average of about 1 250 km/month.

The honest picture

  • Budget city cars: At 1500 km/month petrol is cheaper by about R461/month. Breakeven is about 2 000 km/month — above the South African average of about 1 250 km/month.
  • Compact SUVs (petrol vs EV): At 1500 km/month: About the same (R14 difference). Breakeven is about 1 500 km/month — above the South African average of about 1 250 km/month.
  • Compact SUV three-way: Cheapest at 1500 km/month: Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI manual — about R781/month less than Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XS and R3 011/month less than BYD Atto 3 Extended Range EV.

Methodology

Finance: 72-month term, 10% deposit, 10.75% APR, 35% balloon. Entry trim vs entry trim — equipment differs. Petrol defaults to Gauteng inland 95 ULP at R30.25/L. Electricity defaults to R3.50/kWh (home charging). Pure EV monthly totals include R236 home charger. Budget: Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL 4.4 L/100km vs BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort EV 13.2 kWh/100km. Compact SUV: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI Life 6.6 L/100km vs BYD Atto 3 Extended Range EV 14.4 kWh/100km. Three-way: Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI manual 5.9 L/100km; Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XS 4.3 L/100km; BYD Atto 3 Extended Range EV 14.4 kWh/100km. Prices as of October 2026.