Updated
The cheapest electric car in South Africa.
Right now it is the Geely E2 Aspire at R339 900, a whole R2 000 under the BYD Dolphin Surf. Here are the five cheapest new EVs you can buy, what they cost a month, and how to make the driving close to free.
1.Geely E2 Aspire
R339 900
The cheapest new EV in the country, by R2 000.
- Claimed range
- 325 km
- Power
- 85 kW
- About a month
- R5 941
2.BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort
R341 900
The car that started the price war. Our Run on sunshine city bundle.
- Claimed range
- 232 km
- Power
- 55 kW
- About a month
- R5 976
3.Dongfeng Box
R349 000
Small hatch with a long claimed range.
- Claimed range
- 430 km
- Power
- 70 kW
- About a month
- R6 100
4.Chery Q
R349 900
The most powerful of the under-R350k cars.
- Claimed range
- 340 km
- Power
- 90 kW
- About a month
- R6 116
5.Dongfeng Vigo
R499 000
A step up in size and price.
- Claimed range
- 401 km
- Power
- 120 kW
- About a month
- R8 722
List prices from TopAuto, 17 September 2026 and its BYD price list, 17 October 2026, before on-the-road costs. Monthly figures: 10% deposit, 72 months at 11.75% (prime plus one), no balloon. Range is the maker’s WLTP claim.
Cheapest to buy is not cheapest to run.
The price war is down to R2 000 between the top two. What decides your real cost is where the electricity comes from. 1 500 km a month in a petrol car burns about R3 403 at R30.25 a litre. Charge an EV from the grid at night and you still pay Eskom. Charge it from your own roof while it sits in the driveway, and most of that driving costs close to nothing.
That is the idea behind Run on sunshine: a new EV and a home solar system on one monthly price, from R8 306 a month with the Dolphin Surf. Prefer the Geely, the Box or the Chery? We can quote the same solar with any car on this list.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest electric car in South Africa?+
The Geely E2 Aspire at R339 900 (October 2026), R2 000 less than the BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort at R341 900. Both are small five-door hatchbacks.
How much is an electric car a month in South Africa?+
About R5 941 to R6 116 a month for the cheapest four, financed over 72 months at 11.75% with a 10% deposit and no balloon. Your rate depends on your credit record.
Is a cheap electric car cheaper to run than a petrol car?+
Usually, yes. 1 500 km a month in a petrol car using 7.5 litres per 100 km costs about R3 403 at R30.25 a litre. Charged from home solar while the car is parked in the day, most of that driving costs close to nothing.
Can I add solar to the cheapest electric car?+
Yes. Our Run on sunshine bundle puts the BYD Dolphin Surf and a R120 000 home solar system on one monthly price, from about R8 306 a month. The solar part alone is about R2 330 a month over 72 months. We can quote the same solar with any car on this list.