The 2016 Nissan Leaf currently boasts an official range of 190 km and a 21.25kWh/100km consumption. Assuming an average South African drives 30,000 km a year this equates to around R29.75 per 100 kilometres (at householdkWh consumption rates) or R8,925.

While this is notably cheaper than the current petrol price of R13.32 (93 unleaded – 7 June 2017), there is also another cost factor that one has to take into account when owning an electric vehicle – time.

According to a March 2017 Deloitte report, 55% of South African motorists are willing to wait a maximum of only 1 hour to fully charge an all-battery powered electric vehicle. In comparison, it currently takes 3-4 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle at super-charging stations and 6-8 hours at home.

In addition more than half want a minimum distance of more than 400 kilometersfrom a fully charged electric vehicle while studies show that the majority of electric vehicles currently on the market can only handle between 120 km – 320 km on a single charge.

While all of South Africa’s  electric models support traditional wall charging, it is also possible to install specific charging stations such as BMW’s Wallbox. In comparison to the standard supplied charging cable, the wallbox allows for the charging procedure of the BMW i3 is reduced again by approximately 30%.

Purchase and installation of the Wallbox is treated as an added accessory to a BMW i purchase and you can expect to pay R22,000 for the unit.

It is also subject to comprehensive consultation and individual on-site inspection during which the house’s electrical system can be expanded if necessary.

As of last year Nissan has a total of nine charging facilities in Gauteng and an additional five locations that are not attached to dealers as part of ongoing support for its Nissan Leaf model.

These public stations are free to use but are primarily AC charging stations meaning the charge time is much longer than DC charging stations.

In comparison, BMW South Africa has seen a greater nationwide roll-out  after it which launched the full electric i3 (and range-extender REX version) in 2015. There are currently 38 BMW i-dealerships dotted around South Africa in 8 provinces.

Nissan, BMW and Growthpoint properties have subsequently entered a Memorandum of Understanding share costs of public charging facilities, which is currently in place until 31 December 2017.

There are currently no Nissan Leaf dealerships outside of Gauteng, although BMW currently boasts 5 dealerships with charging stations attached in KZN, 2 in the Eastern Cape, 1 in the Free State, 1 in Limpop, 2 in Mpumalanga,  and 2 in the North-West.