5 most affordable EVs in South Africa in 2025
From budget-friendly city cars to stylish crossovers, these EVs prove that going electric in South Africa no longer has to break the bank.
We’ve rounded up the five most affordable passenger EVs you can buy in South Africa in 2025.
With reports from China having suggested BYD is hoping to launch the Atto 1 in South Africa for under R400 000, we were curious what the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) currently available in our market are. So, before the Atto 1’s imminent arrival, we’ve compiled a list of the five least expensive passenger EVs you can buy at the moment.
5. Mini Aceman E — from R800 000
The Mini Aceman E is powered by a single electric-motor arrangement that produces 135kW and 290N.m of torque, exclusively delivered to the road via the front wheels. The entry-level Aceman (we sampled the flagship, Aceman SE in March 2025) has a claimed operating range of 300km from a fully charged 42.5kWh battery.
4. BYD Atto 3 — from R768 000
The Atto 3 is the first BYD on this list. The Atto 3 is available in two flavours, with the Standard Range derivative serving as the opening gambit to the lineup. This model’s 150kW/310N.m electric motor is fed by a 49.92kWh battery, which offers a claimed operating range of 345km on a single, full charge.
3. GWM Ora 03 — from R686 950
Sporting a retro-inspired exterior design, the four-strong GWM Ora 03 lineup is priced from R686 950 for the 300 Super Luxury, which we’ve evaluated for a road test, to R835 950 for the 400 GT Super Luxury. The base-spec model’s electric motor produces 126kW and 250N.m, and is coupled with a 48kWh battery pack that offers a claimed driving range of 310km when fully charged.
2. BYD Dolphin — from R539 900
When the Dolphin made its local debut in early 2024, it was South Africa’s most affordable EV. The Dolphin is available in Standard Range and Extended Range configurations, with the former, least expensive of the two featuring a 70kW/180N.m electric motor and a 60.4kWh battery pack that’s good for a claimed operating range of 340km/h on a single, full charge.
1. Dayun S5 — from R399 900
Introduced to our market in July 2025, the Dayun S5 lineup is priced from a hair below R400 000, making it the most affordable EV currently available in South Africa. This city car is equipped with a 31.7kWh battery, which offers a claimed range of 330km, and an electric motor that produces only 35kW and 105N.m.
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The post 5 Most Affordable EVs in South Africa in 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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