Electric car rental in South Africa with SIXT
Choose from our range of top Electric cars worldwide
SIXT Electric car rental worldwide
Electric car rental in South Africa
Electric driving is arriving in South Africa's cities. In Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, a clean, quiet ride is no longer something for later — it's on offer right now, whether you're on a business trip, taking a weekend away, or trying an EV for the first time.
Top electric models with SIXT
Our lineup includes sought-after models like the BMW i4, i5, and iX, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 — cars built around strong performance, a genuinely quiet cabin, and the kind of tech that makes long drives between cities easier. Booking is straightforward and fully online, with our team ready to help from pickup to drop-off.
Charging your electric car in South Africa
South Africa's charging network is expanding but still uneven between cities, so it pays to plan ahead. Look up charging stations along your route before you set off, note whether you're dealing with a Level 2 or a DC fast charger, and build a charging stop into longer trips like the Garden Route or a run up to Johannesburg. Keep in mind that power interruptions can occasionally affect station availability, and charging costs differ by provider, so it's worth checking rates in advance.
FAQ – Renting an electric car with SIXT
We check the battery level both when you collect the car and when you bring it back.
- Handed over above 80% charge? Return it at 80% or more.
- Handed over below 80%? Return it at that same level.
If you can't charge up before your return and didn't add the prepaid charging option, you're only billed for the electricity (in kWh) it takes to get the battery back to its starting point, capped at 80%. Current rates are available at the branch.
Yes. Add the prepaid charging option at the time of booking, and you can hand the car back at whatever charge level it's at — SIXT handles the recharge for a set fee.
Yes, two of them:
- A Type 2 cable for public charging points — on the street, in parking garages, at malls, and at supermarkets.
- A household plug cable for charging from a standard wall outlet.
Fast-charging stations typically have their cable built in, so you won't need your own for those.
When you pick up the vehicle, you'll get a partner charging card linked to your own account — it's worth setting that account up beforehand. The card unlocks a wide charging network. A home outlet or another charging provider works too, if that's easier. Hang on to the card until you return the car.
Our charging partner's app will show you what's nearby. Charging at home or via another provider is also fine if that suits your route better.
The renter covers charging costs. SIXT's partnership with a charging network operator is there to make that simple, with broad access to charging points wherever you're driving.
Pricing depends on the country and the network operator, usually billed per kWh used or per minute plugged in. In some cities, charging is folded into the parking fee.
A few things shape an EV's real-world range:
- Speed — highway driving at pace uses more energy and cuts range; steadier city driving stretches it further.
- Temperature — range peaks around 20°C. Cold weather means the battery spends more energy heating the cabin and itself.
- How you drive — smooth acceleration and leaning on regenerative braking both help the range go further.
A few things stand out compared to a petrol car:
- Acceleration feels quicker and smoother — full torque is there instantly, with no gears to shift through.
- It's quiet. The motor barely makes a sound.
- Regenerative braking turns the motor into a generator as you slow down, feeding some charge back into the battery — strong enough in some cars to cut down how often you touch the regular brake.