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?
First Published here: MyPR.co.za
Did You Know?
- Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
- Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
- Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
- Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
- Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
- Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
- Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.