As we approach April 1, 2026, the South African energy landscape is shifting from “concerning” to what many experts are calling a “national disaster.” With the single largest fuel price hike in history hitting next week—pushing Petrol toward R26.00/L and Diesel to a record-breaking R30.00/L—the math behind the internal combustion engine (ICE) simply no longer adds up.
For this exercise we used NMB Municipality’s highest electricity tariffs to prove that EVs are still 60% cheaper to run than petrol.
In the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), we operate on an Inclining Block Tariff (IBT). This means the more you use, the more you pay per unit. For this comparison, we are assuming you are already a high-energy household (using over 500 kWh/month) and charging your EV entirely at the most expensive rate.
What It Costs to Drive 100km in March 2026
With the massive fuel hike hitting on April 1st, we’ve run the numbers using the highest Inclining Block Tariff (IBT) in Gqeberha (R3.98/kWh). Even at this “worst-case” rate, the ICE engine loses.
| Vehicle Type | Consumption | Cost per 100km |
| Petrol (95 ULP) | 8.5L / 100km | R219.30 |
| Diesel (50ppm) | 6.5L / 100km | R191.75 |
| Electric (Grid-Max) | 18kWh / 100km | R71.64 |
| Electric (Solar) | 18kWh / 100km | R0.00 |
Even on the most expensive municipal electricity, you are saving R147 per 100km compared to petrol. For a daily commuter, that’s over R3,000 a month back in your pocket.
The Solar Multiplier (Straton Solar’s Secret Sauce):
The ultimate “hidden” saving is the ability to de-link your transport costs from the global oil market entirely.
The Saving: You cannot refine your own petrol in your backyard BUT You can harvest your own electricity.
The EV Charger Reality: For homeowners with a Straton Solar and EV Charger installations, an EV becomes a “rolling battery.” By charging during peak sunlight hours, your 5-year “fuel” cost can drop from R250,000 (average for a high-mileage ICE) to essentially zero.
Add Shelly Automation products from Stratlec and you will be able to measure and manage all your electricity consumers and generators without the monthly costs of an app/cloud/hub to function.
EV Charger Articles:
- Part One: The Great Transition: Why Electric Vehicles?
- Part Two: The 5-Year Horizon: Are EVs Really More Economical?
- Part Three: Pro Charger vs. “Granny Cable”: Why Go Dedicated?
- Part Four: Fuel Rand vs. EV Rand: The 100km Running Cost Breakdown
- Part Five: The Tipping Point—Verifiable Data on the Shift to EV
- Part Six: Why Choose Straton Electrical for Your EV Charger Supply and Installation?
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