Local electric car owner in for 3-month wait to replace battery cell - is this reasonable?

While South Africa's electric vehicle market is still relatively small, the number of EVs on our roads is set to grow six-fold by 2030, according to non-profit organisation GreenCape.

Its 2025 Market Intelligence Report (published with the UK's Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions - PACT), says the adoption of electric cars is mainly linked to price, performance, and that all-important battery range.

But what about the availability of essential parts in South Africa?

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A consumer who contacted Wendy Knowler says it would be 'reasonable' to expect that manufacturers here keep battery components in stock to spare customers a long wait should their cars have an issue.

However, Julian Liebenberg's experience with BMW has him questioning the brand's supportfor its EV clients.

Liebenberg's BMW i4 M50 had a battery failure on 17 September after he purchased it in January.

To his shock, the replacement battery cell will only be fitted and the car returned to him on 18 Dec - a three-month process.

"He is saying they should have a couple of hundred of these battery cells in their warehouse, but they have none, he told me."

According to BMW SA Liebenberg was offered a courtesy car - what he want to happengives 3 options: 3:10

Another suggestion from the EV owner is that BMW SA make a public statement declaring their plan to improve customer service 'by having 5 battery packs, 100 battery modules and 1,000 battery cells in their spares warehouse', specifying there was a method to arriving at these figures.

This scenario is something that EV buyers should keep in mind, Knowler says.

"In the unlikely event, with BMW, of something going wrong, you are going to have a lengthy wait. I think as long as they give you alternative transport, at least that goes towards keeping you mobile."

To hear more from Knowler, scroll up to the interview audio at the top of the article