DURBAN - The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) said that ministers and their deputies should lead by example by buying electric cars when purchasing official vehicles.
Ministers and their deputies get R800 000 per vehicle, which is allocated by the National Treasury, for the purchase of officials vehicles.
MISA said that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in October 2021 that South Africa identified three key priorities for climate action, including increased production of electric vehicles.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer, said that in his 2022 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa said that investments in electric vehicles and hydrogen would equip South Africa to meet the global clean energy future goals.
“MISA believes that ministers and their deputies should take it upon themselves to give preference to electric vehicles, but if they fail to do so, National Treasury should enforce this in the policy for buying official vehicles.”
Keyter added that MISA strongly opposes that government departments can purchase directly from the manufacturer where the vehicle is new.
“The National Treasury must reconsider this. Government has a responsibility to support the more than 300 000 employees in the retail motor industry.”
Keyter, however, also said that Eskom’s inability to provide sustainable power and daily cable theft resulting in power outages, are the biggest challenges when considering moving to electric vehicles.
“These are challenges that require the Government’s urgent action because it is vital.”
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