Time for SA to move on new automotive technologies
While the global motor industry develops new automotive technologies, SA is sticking to what it knows. There’s no immediate rush, but it can’t stay in a time warp indefinitely
SA has nothing to fear in the short term from its widening automotive technology gap with the northern hemisphere, says BMW global development head Klaus Fröhlich. Longer term, it’s another matter. While European, Asian and US motor companies are pushing ahead with futuristic plans for self-driving vehicles and alternative power sources, SA remains obstinately stuck in the present. By one estimate, electric vehicles (EVs) will account for 55% of vehicle sales worldwide by 2040. Last year, more than 2-million were sold — half of them in China. In Norway, which wants to eliminate petrol and diesel vehicles by 2025, EVs accounted for 49% of new vehicles. In SA, the share was less than 0.1%. The government says it wants to embrace the electric revolution but its actions suggest otherwise. In countries where EV sales thrive, they are driven by tax and trade-in incentives. In SA, EVs face import duties higher than those on cars driven by the traditional internal combustion engine. It’s ch...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.