South Africa is making a big shift
A recent report from the OLX Group highlights a significant and sustained increase in the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) across five key markets in Europe and South Africa.
Data collected as of June 2026 indicate that this growth is not merely a temporary reaction to rising fuel costs but rather a structural shift toward the long-term adoption of electric mobility.
A primary driver of this trend is the growing influence of Chinese automotive brands, such as MG and BYD, which OLX said is effectively capturing market share by offering competitive pricing and a variety of technological options.
Portugal is identified as the most mature market for electric mobility, while France is experiencing the fastest growth in consumer interest.
Global online classifieds group OLX reported that these findings illustrate how Chinese manufacturers are adapting their strategies to suit local markets, whether through competitive pricing in Romania or focusing on SUVs in South Africa.
The group said the transition to cleaner transportation is accelerating as these manufacturers make electric vehicles more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
The data indicates that the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is evolving into a long-term trend, rather than a temporary response.
The data shows that every market measured has experienced double- or triple-digit year-on-year growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales, although these growth rates are starting to moderate from their previous peaks.
In June 2026, every tracked market recorded substantial year-on-year growth in EV leads; France saw a 206% increase.
South Africa rose by 154.6%, Romania grew by 66.0%, Portugal increased by 60.0%, and Poland saw a growth of 34.3%.
Portugal continues to be Europe’s most mature market for EVs, with electric vehicles accounting for 14.9% of leads, almost double that of the next closest market.
France remains the fastest-growing EV market in this group, where EV prices are still rising by 25% year-on-year.
Chinese brands are in high demand
MG and BYD have become the dominant Chinese brands in France, Romania, Portugal, and Poland.
“The story our data tells is straightforward: where EV adoption is accelerating, demand for Chinese automotive brands is accelerating with it,” said OLX CEO Christian Gisy.
“That is no coincidence, Chinese manufacturers are actively expanding the market, bringing electric vehicles to consumers at lower price points than ever before,” he said.
He explained that this indicates electric vehicles are now more accessible to a larger number of people.
The shift towards electric mobility is occurring more rapidly and extensively, due to the involvement of Chinese manufacturers.
While demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is strong across all five OLX markets, the report indicates that Chinese manufacturers are adjusting their vehicle offerings, pricing, and market strategies to reflect the varying stages of EV adoption in each region.
Portugal continues to see Chinese brands competing based not only on price but also on technology and model variety. Among the leading brands in this market are Xpeng, MG, and BYD.
In Poland, the range of Chinese brands is the most diversified, with MG, BYD, and Omoda leading the market.
In South Africa, the market is at a different stage of development. Chinese brands hold the highest share of demand within the group at 7.31%, with Haval leading the way.
However, this demand is primarily for petrol and hybrid SUVs, with electric vehicles accounting for only 0.3% of demand from Chinese brands.
This trend reflects the influence of local infrastructure, driving conditions, and consumer preferences. As a result, Chinese manufacturers are adapting their strategies to fit each market rather than employing a one-size-fits-all approach across all five regions.
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