South Africa’s new-energy vehicle market has seen remarkable growth in the first half of 2026. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have led the charge, with sales jumping by 486.7% compared to the same period last year. This segment has quickly become the main driver behind the sector’s expansion.
Overall, NEV sales climbed 84.2% year on year to 13,196 units in the first half of 2026. This means electrified vehicles now make up 4.2% of all new cars sold in South Africa, out of a total market of 315,303 units for the period.
Market Performance at a Glance
| Total NEV | 13 196 | +84.2% | 100% |
| PHEV | 4 623 | +486.7% | 35.0% |
| EV | 1 897 | +232.8% | 14.4% |
| HEV | 6 676 | +15.0% | 50.6% |
Source: Naamsa Q1 & Q2 2026 sales data
PHEV Segment Leads the Charge
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales in South Africa rocketed 486.7% year on year to 4 623 units in H1 2026. While this growth occurred off a relatively low base, the PHEV segment now accounts for 35.0% of total NEV sales during the reporting period.
“The fact that PHEV sales have surged by 486.7% tells us that people prefer plug-in hybrids because they can use electric power for their everyday journeys and, at the same time, depend on a combustion engine for longer trips. The flexibility supports demand while South Africa builds more charging stations.”Says Alan Quinn, Chief Product and Innovation Officer.
EV and HEV Performance
Fully electric vehicles also saw strong growth, with sales rising 232.8% to 1,897 units in the first half of 2026. EVs now account for 14.4% of the NEV market.
Traditional hybrids (HEVs) are still the biggest part of the NEV market, growing 15% year on year to 6,676 units. But with the rapid rise of PHEVs and EVs, HEVs’ share of the NEV segment has dropped from 81% last year to just over half (50.6%) in 2026.
New Market Entrants Fuel Expansion
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) notes that the local market’s latest NEV sales performance was strongly supported by “new entrants starting to report new-vehicle sales data” and a “broader range of product offerings” in this space.
Chinese brand BYD started reporting its sales to the industry in March 2026 and has averaged 740 units per month since then, adding to the sector’s strong momentum.
Alan added, “The fact that NEVs now account for one in every 17 new cars sold shows that we have moved beyond the early-adopter phase and are now entering the mainstream.”
Industry Context
South Africa’s shift to electrified mobility is picking up speed. NEVs now make up about one in every 17 new light vehicles sold. The choice for buyers is also growing, with over 50 different battery electric models recording sales in just the first five months of 2026.
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