Hybrid Car Sales Explode in South Africa: Over 13,000 Sold in 2024

South Africa is embracing greener driving in a big way, with hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales skyrocketing to 13,604 units in 2024—a staggering 5,014% increase from just 266 units sold in 2015. The data, released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), signals a major shift in local consumer preferences toward fuel-efficient mobility.

Unlike full electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles combine a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) with a battery-powered electric motor. This allows the car to automatically switch between power sources depending on driving conditions, maximizing fuel efficiency without needing external charging infrastructure.

Corolla Cross Leads the Charge

A significant driver behind the hybrid boom is the popularity of the locally assembled Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. According to Cars.co.za, this model accounted for nearly 75% of all hybrid car sales in South Africa last year.

Sales of hybrid vehicles didn’t surpass 300 units annually until 2021. But since then, demand has exploded:

• 2021: 627 units
• 2022: 4,050 units
• 2023: 6,495 units
• 2024: 13,604 units

This jump brings the total number of HEVs sold in South Africa since 2015 to 25,828.

Plug-In Hybrids and EVs Show Modest Growth

While traditional hybrids dominate, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)—which allow external charging—saw their sales grow from 124 in 2015 to 728 in 2024, a 428% increase. Meanwhile, fully electric vehicle sales rose to 1,257 units in 2024, reflecting a 947% increase since 2015.

Combined, new-energy vehicle sales (HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs) reached 15,589 units in 2024, representing just over 3% of South Africa’s 515,853 passenger vehicle market.

Fuel Savings Make Hybrids Attractive

Fuel efficiency is a key motivator for many South Africans switching to hybrids. A case study from a MyBroadband team member who replaced their petrol-powered Golf 7 with a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid showed significant savings. After adjusting to the car’s driving style, their monthly fuel cost dropped from R2,367 to R1,738—a saving of R629 per month, or nearly R7,550 per year.

The hybrid averaged a real-world consumption of 4.7ℓ/100km, close to the manufacturer’s claim of 4.3ℓ/100km.

A Growing Appetite for Efficiency

While EV adoption remains limited by infrastructure and price, hybrids offer a compelling middle ground—especially in a country still grappling with electricity supply challenges.

With a rapidly growing base of eco-conscious consumers, rising fuel prices, and continued support from manufacturers like Toyota, South Africa’s hybrid market appears poised for even greater expansion in the years ahead.

{Source: My Broad Band}

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