Bucket Seat: Lepas L6 EV

Lepas is getting ready to make a bigger impression on the South African EV market with the arrival of the new L6 EV, an all-electric crossover that brings together sharp styling, decent performance and a claimed range of up to 450 km. Visually, the L6 has a modern and sporty stance, helped by its 19-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers, while the front-mounted electric motor produces 160 kW and 275 N.m, sending power to the front wheels. It also supports both AC and DC charging, making it practical for everyday use and longer journeys. Lepas is even sweetening the deal for early adopters, with the limited pre-order package including a 7 kW home charger, standard installation, a Type M charging cable, V2L functionality and R5,000 worth of charging credit.

Inside, the L6 continues with a strong technology focus, featuring an 8.88-inch digital instrument display and a large 13.2-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is also an eight-speaker Sony sound system, wireless smartphone charging, heated and ventilated electric front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof and a powered tailgate. Safety has not been forgotten either, with 20 advanced driver-assistance systems, seven airbags, a panoramic camera and automatic parking forming part of the package. On paper at least, the L6 certainly doesn't feel like Lepas has tried to cut corners when it comes to standard equipment.

But the big number here is that 450 km range. For South African buyers, range remains one of the biggest considerations when making the switch to electric, and the L6's claimed figure should make it capable of handling the daily commute while still offering enough breathing room for longer trips. The inclusion of V2L is another nice touch, giving owners the ability to use the vehicle's battery to power compatible appliances and equipment. Add the home charger and installation into the pre-order package and Lepas is clearly trying to make the transition to EV ownership as straightforward as possible.

The one piece of the puzzle still missing is the price. Lepas has yet to confirm exactly how much the L6 EV will cost in South Africa, and that will ultimately determine where it sits in an increasingly crowded EV market. With Chinese manufacturers continuing to bring more electric models into the country, the L6 will need to offer the right combination of price, range and equipment to get buyers interested. For now, though, the L6 EV certainly looks like an interesting addition to the local market, and with its distinctive styling, 450 km range and generous specification, it is one we will be keeping an eye on. 

Bucket Seat: Volvo ES90

There are some cars that leave an impression the moment you lay eyes on them, and then there are those that continue to impress long after you've handed back the keys. The new Volvo ES90 certainly falls into the latter category. I recently spent a few days with Volvo's latest all-electric luxury sedan in Cape Town, where it became my companion for a mixture of business appointments and leisurely drives through the city and surrounding roads. Those few days gave me the perfect opportunity to experience exactly what the ES90 is designed to do deliver effortless luxury, exceptional refinement and the kind of relaxed driving experience that only a premium electric vehicle can offer. While the ES90 represents Volvo's latest technological leap, it hasn't forgotten the Swedish values that have made the brand one of the most respected luxury manufacturers in the world.

DESIGN

Colvo has always mastered the art of understated elegance, and the ES90 is perhaps one of the finest examples of that philosophy. There's an unmistakable Swedish influence throughout the entire vehicle, where simplicity isn't a lack of design but rather a celebration of it. Every line has purpose, every surface feels deliberate and there isn't a single unnecessary styling element to distract from its overall presence. What immediately caught my attention was the Sportback-inspired rear design. For a sedan of this size, it is a masterstroke. Instead of the traditional three-box silhouette, the sweeping roofline flows effortlessly into the rear, creating a seamless profile that looks both sophisticated and surprisingly athletic. It gives the ES90 a dynamic character that many large executive sedans struggle to achieve while also improving practicality with a much larger rear loading area. The front remains unmistakably Volvo, with its familiar Thor's Hammer LED lighting signature and clean, minimalist fascia, while the rear lighting design complements the modern aesthetic beautifully. It's a vehicle that turns heads not because it shouts for attention, but because its confidence comes from restraint. The same philosophy continues inside. The cabin is wonderfully uncluttered, with premium materials, clean surfaces and an interface that never overwhelms the driver. It feels calm, luxurious and incredibly inviting. Volvo has created an interior where everything simply feels like it's in the right place, making every journey a genuinely relaxing experience.

PERFORMANCE

The ES90 Single Motor may be the entry point into the range, but there is nothing entry-level about the way it performs. Electric vehicles have become synonymous with instant acceleration, and the Volvo delivers exactly that with smooth, effortless power whenever you ask for it. Whether pulling away from traffic lights, overtaking on the open road or merging onto the highway, the responsiveness of the single motor drivetrain is immediate and confidence inspiring. What impressed me most was how naturally the different driving modes adapted to varying driving styles. Whether I was navigating Cape Town's busy urban traffic during work commitments or enjoying a more spirited drive along the coast, the ES90 adjusted its character accordingly. The steering weight, throttle response and overall driving feel changed subtly enough to enhance the experience without ever feeling artificial. Battery range is often one of the first questions prospective EV buyers ask, and the ES90 answers that concern convincingly. The generous battery capacity provides more than enough range for everyday commuting while comfortably accommodating semi-long-distance trips between major cities or weekend getaways. More importantly, it gives the driver genuine peace of mind. Rather than constantly monitoring the remaining battery percentage, you simply drive the car as you would any premium luxury sedan, which is perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay a modern electric vehicle. Volvo has done an excellent job of reducing the range anxiety that still prevents many motorists from making the transition to electric mobility.

COMFORT

If there is one area where the ES90 truly excels, it is comfort. From the moment you settle into the beautifully sculpted seats, it becomes immediately apparent that Volvo's reputation for producing some of the most comfortable seats in the automotive industry remains well deserved. Long hours behind the wheel never became tiring, with excellent support and an ergonomically designed driving position making every journey feel effortless. Luxury extends to every passenger as well. The inclusion of four-zone climate control means each occupant can personalise their own temperature settings, while both the front and rear seats benefit from heating and ventilation. It's a level of attention to passenger comfort that transforms every journey into a first-class travel experience, regardless of where you're seated. One of the standout features is undoubtedly the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system. Whether listening to classical music, jazz, rock, electronic dance music or podcasts, the system adapts beautifully to every genre. The clarity, depth and balance are simply outstanding, creating a concert-like atmosphere inside the cabin without ever becoming overpowering. Adding to the feeling of spaciousness is the impressive photoelectric panoramic sunroof. With the touch of a button, occupants can choose exactly how much daylight they want to let into the cabin, creating either a bright, airy environment or a more private atmosphere depending on the conditions outside. It's a clever piece of technology that perfectly complements the minimalist interior. Ride quality is equally impressive. Volvo has clearly prioritised refinement, and the result is a suspension setup that glides over imperfections with remarkable composure. Whether driving on smooth highways or less-than-perfect city streets, the ES90 isolates occupants from the outside world exceptionally well. The suspension remains wonderfully soft without feeling floaty, maintaining excellent body control while delivering the kind of comfort expected from a luxury flagship.

VERDICT

The Volvo ES90 represents everything a modern premium electric sedan should be. It combines elegant Scandinavian design, impressive technology, outstanding comfort and effortless electric performance into a package that feels genuinely sophisticated rather than unnecessarily complicated. It doesn't rely on gimmicks or flashy styling to stand out. Instead, it focuses on delivering a refined ownership experience that will appeal to buyers who appreciate quality, craftsmanship and understated luxury. With South African pricing expected to start at around R1.65 million for the Single Motor variant, the ES90 firmly positions itself in the premium luxury EV segment. While it undoubtedly commands a significant investment, buyers are rewarded with a vehicle that offers cutting-edge safety technology, exceptional comfort, generous equipment levels and a driving experience that feels uniquely relaxing. For executives, business professionals and premium customers looking to embrace electric mobility without sacrificing luxury, the Volvo ES90 makes a compelling case for itself. It's not simply another electric sedan it is a beautifully executed Scandinavian luxury car that just happens to be powered by electricity.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	Single Electric motor 800V
Gear Box	Single gear system with driving modes
Power	245kW
Torque	480Nm
Range	755km
Price	R1,590,000*

*base model

 

 

Bucket Tech: Geely South Africa

This week saw the re-introduction of Geely to the South African market, the Chinese OEM was in our country around the 2010 World Cup time, with their smaller B-Segment cars, most popular being the LC. While these offered a cheaper alternative to consumers, the Japanese and Korean offerings in these segments proved to be the popular choice and ultimately put an end to Geely's time in the country. However, with the surge in the market from various other Chinese brands, Geely has decided to re-enter our market but with a bolder and better strategy than the rest. How you may ask? Well their product offering to the consumer is not only well priced but different to the others. Geely South Africa isn't waiting to test the market as they coming in strong offering their hybrid and full electric models in the form of the EM-i5 and E5 SUV's.

Chinese cars have shaken the market world over, offering great vehicles, loaded with tech and extras at almost half the price of its European counterparts, this left consumers asking why they should be paying the extra prices for brands they know when these seem good and offer so much more. While this is true, many soon began to learn of the shortcomings of these cars. While the build quality and engines are strong, they were not light on fuel at all. Even the smallest offerings from them were giving average fuel consumption of over 10L per 100km. For a 1.6 litre engine, that was unheard of and quite heavy for ones pocket. So while you were saving a lot on the price of the car, you were slowly paying for it at the pumps.  While some of the OEM's are learning the downside to their CVT gearboxes which are more suited to the Asian countries, many are bringing in the models with DCT boxes now to ease the heavy fuel efficiency figures and to their credit, it's good to see that they taking the consumers concerns seriously. 

Geely have opted to take another approach, while many still prefer ICE over EV, mainly due to the pricing, there is no denying that people would rather have cheaper alternatives to choose from and that is exactly what Geely are doing. Providing the market with an EV that is not only affordable but one that comes with a great battery and tech that gives a range of up to 430km. The E5 which is Geely's first full electric offering to the country was the star of the launch. With it's clean lines, smooth body work and eye catching LED's, it stood proud center stage. The E5 will be offered in two model trims, namely, the Aspire and Apex. Both are powered by a front-mounted electric motor that produces 160kW and 320Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds for the Apex and 7.1 seconds for the Aspire.. The battery that powers this car is a 60.22kWh lithium-iron phosphate.

While this is the model that gained the most interest, the model that would probably see the most sales is the EM-i5 Hybrid as it offers the best of both worlds. With a 1.5L, 4-cylinder petrol engine that proves 73kW and 125Nm of torque that works in tandem with an electric motor that provides 160kW and 320Nm of torque, the total system output equates to 193kW. The EM-i5 has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds and the model like the E5 is available in two variants being the Aspire and Apex. The battery in the EM-i5 is an 18.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery that can give a pure electric range of 83km but combined with the petrol engine can extend the EM-i5 range to 943km! This is better than anything we have in the market at the moment. 

The interiors of the Geely's are well equipped with both models coming with a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that user interface is more designed to smart phone use and feels with gestures that mimic the the ones you use on the phone. The instrument cluster is a 10.2-inch screen that provides the usual driver info. The rest of the cabin is pretty similar to everything else out of China but the quality of materials used in the Geely's are substantially better. I particularly like the leather seats with its cool design stitching and shape which contours to any body type. The minimalist look is great which not much buttons apart from the dial for driving modes and ventilation controls. I will need to spend time with it to see how it fairs on the road. 

Pricing for the Geely EM-i5 and E5 are as follows:

Model	Price
E5 EM-i    Aspire	R599,999.00
E5 EM-i    Apex	R675,999.00
E5 Aspire	R699,999.00
E5 Apex	R759,999.00

 

Bucket Seat: Volvo EX30 Cross Country becomes the first fully electric vehicle to conquer Sani Pass

56 years after the first Volvo made the climb, the all-electric EX30 Cross Country proves that EVs can tackle South Africa’s toughest terrain—powered by the country’s highest solar-powered charger. 

Volvo Car South Africa is closing Transport Month with a historic milestone in electric mobility: the EX30 Cross Country has become the first fully electric vehicle (BEV) to successfully ascend Sani Pass, one of South Africa’s most iconic and demanding mountain routes. Stretching through the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, Sani Pass has long separated ordinary vehicles from those built to endure, testing resilience, power, and control. Now, for the first time, an electric vehicle has conquered its challenging slopes, proving that sustainable mobility can thrive in even the most extreme conditions. 

Sani Pass is more than just a road; it is a trail steeped in history. Decades before engines ever roared up its steep gradients, Basotho shepherds traversed the mountains to trade livestock and goods, navigating narrow, twisting paths that demanded courage and determination. In 1969, the first Volvo ascended the trail, showcasing the engineering and endurance that would come to define the brand for decades to come. Fast forward 56 years, and the EX30 Cross Country completes the same ascent—this time powered entirely by electricity—underscoring the progress of automotive technology. 

Small but formidable, the EX30 Cross Country’s compact size belies its capability. Combining rugged design with environmentally conscious engineering, this 315 kW electric SUV was designed to handle both urban streets and demanding mountain passes, and proves that electric vehicles do not mean sacrificing adventure. During the ascent, the EX30 Cross Country navigated steep gradients, hairpin bends, and rocky terrain with precision and composure, demonstrating that EVs can confidently tackle landscapes once considered exclusive to combustion engines. 

Adding to the significance of this milestone is the installation of South Africa’s highest solar-powered EV charger, located just below Sani Pass at 1,566 metres. Installed for Volvo at Premier Resort Sani Pass by CHARGE, the unit enabled a fully solar-to-solar journey for the EX30 Cross Country. This initiative proves that exploring remote natural landscapes can be done sustainably, with clean energy supporting mobility in some of the country’s most iconic locations.

“The ascent of Sani Pass by the EX30 Cross Country is a defining moment for electric mobility in South Africa,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director of VCSA. “It demonstrates that electric vehicles can tackle the most challenging terrain, and that clean, sustainable energy can power adventure in even the most remote and rugged locations.”

Locke added that this historic journey also marks a moment to reflect on the evolution of exploration and innovation. “From the Willys Jeep ascents of the mid-20th century to endurance tests and modern performance trials, Sani Pass has always been a stage for determination and ingenuity. The EX30 Cross Country now joins this line of milestones, demonstrating that electric power can deliver both capability and sustainability, bridging decades of motoring history while paving the way for a cleaner, more adventurous future. 

Looking ahead, “CHARGE is proud to have partnered with Volvo and the Premier Hotels & Resorts for this momentous occasion,  driving sustainability as we migrate to NEVs. The solar-powered charger at Premier Resort Sani Pass will be upgraded in Q2 of 2026 with battery backup capabilities to allow for overnight charging, and therefore enhancing its capabilities even further,” commented Joubert Roux, Founder of CHARGE.

Volvo’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and expanding the possibilities of adventure continues to open new horizons for drivers, proving that owning an EV does not limit exploration—it redefines it.

Bucket Seat: Rolls Royce Spectre

When one thinks of Rolls Royce, words such as "Opulence", "Luxury", "Rich" come to mind. Of course one also associates it with Royalty but since there's too much drama going on at Buckingham Palace with the Windsor's, I'll exclude that one for this article as I am about to talk about something quite special from a special brand in the motoring world. Ever since the introduction of the Carbon Tax in Europe, vehicle manufacturers were forced to make their cars more green or introduce models that would have lesser impact on the environment than before. Rolls Royce had a major problem on their hand as most, if not all of their cars at the time had massive V12 engines fitted in them. They couldn't go down the route as their British counterparts Aston Martin and make a 1-litre car like the Cygnet, that would mock its very existence! Instead, with the help of their parent company BMW, Rolls Royce found innovative ways to work around this, until now that is. With the introduction of the first fully electric model named the Spectre, this would be a massive plus in their books. The Spectre was first showcased back in October 2022 with production models being ready by end of 2023. This week I was extremely fortunate enough to sample what this electric beauty has to offer and my word it is magnificent. 

I think my history with electric cars has been mentioned one time too many, but I still get blown away when I see the progression in technology from the various brands. Rolls Royce being in a category I've never driven before, be it ICE or EV, I was in for something really special and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face even if you tried. Just standing and looking at the car feels special, the design of it echoes the brands styles but with a modern yet classic twist. The car exudes elegance in any angle that you look at it, the regal nature of its silhouette has onlookers shocked at its stature. Yes, it's a coupe but one that measures 5.475 meters, that is longer than the new BMW 7-series! Inspiration for the Spectre's design is drawn from worlds far beyond automotive, including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. The Spectre features the widest grille ever on a Rolls Royce and the first which is illuminated, it is adorned with split headlights either side of it. The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the motor car’s front. The profile of the car has classic lines from the Phantom Coupe, with the eye catching fastback rear design that mesmerizes you as the car glides by. 

Stepping inside, you are greeted by a vast array of plush materials, from the shaggy pile sheep wool carpets, to real oak inserts on the dash. The long suicide doors feature a star light pattern that has over 4,000 inserts, this is married with various high quality leathers which is available in any colour of your imagination. No, really, the specification guide seems endless with the combinations available making each and every car made bespoke to the owners tastes. I've driven a lot of fancy cars that cost a pretty penny but this league is next level. I found myself flabbergasted seeing the details and feeling each and every panel and trim on the interior. There's no detail spared, and it shouldn't given the price tag. While the user interface and some of the controls feel familiar from the Germans, the the comfortable seats and plush surroundings make up for it. The car has loads of tech, all of which come from BMW but it has a few tricks up its sleeve too, the automated closing doors is definitely a feature I could get used to and a handy trick is that when the driver presses the brake pedal, the door automatically starts to close. 

In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, prophesised an electric future for the motor car. Having acquired an electric vehicle named The Columbia Electric Carriage, he foresaw its suitability as a clean, noiseless alternative to the internal combustion engine – providing there was sufficient infrastructure to support it. 120 years later, that vision is finally here. Rolls Royce boasted the quietest cabin noise as they viewed it as disruptive to listen to the mechanics of the engine in the car whilst driving. They strive for this silence and to an extent much of their line-up delivered through many sound proof layers in the engine bay, but with an all electric setup, its not required as the silence is guaranteed. The two electric motors pump out and equivalent power output of 577 horses and a max torque of 900Nm which gives it a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds! Bear in mind this car weights just less than 3,000kgs thanks to the lithium iron batteries which have a 102kWh capacity and fully charges in 95 minutes using a DC fast charger. The maximum reported range from a full charge is 520km, this includes regeneration through braking. The term "floating on clouds" come to mind when driving this car, as it glides along any surface with ease, the rear wheel steering help navigate the long chassis with ease. 

The Spectre is Rolls Royce introduction into the EV era and my word is it something, if this is the start the company is making into an all electric future, it does look like a bright one from the company. Starting price for the Spectre is in the region of R15 million.

Bucket Seat: BMW iX1 XDrive 30

Like it or not, electric cars are coming in thick and fast, the Eskom and load shedding jokes are getting boring on this topic as most charging station now have back-up power, also with mobile applications like Plug Share, you can see where your nearest fast chargers are and if they're occupied! As much as the purist denounce the EV, I am still of the opinion that the two can live simultaneously in harmony with each other. A few weeks ago I spent some time with BMW's latest fully electric offering, the new small SAV iX1 and testing it in probably the countries most toughest cities for an EV, Johannesburg. Talk about getting thrown in the deep end, but thankfully, having experienced EV's from it's pre-production inception till now, my range anxiety has managed to calm down a few notches to not have me sweat every time I see the range dip below 100km. The technology has advanced so much over the past 2 years, it's quite exciting to see what we will be getting in the coming years. Anyway, I'm not here to advocate for which type of car is better, I'm here to tell you about my experience with the iX1 so here it goes. 

DESIGN

The X1 is probably one of the best looking crossovers on the market at the moment, BMW have done a stellar job, both on the exterior design and the interior. It's the smallest in the X range but has that bold styling that still makes it stand out despite its small stature. The sharp lines, bold grille and intimidating headlights make the iX1 a stunner on the road. With the iX1 there are a few details that differ from the normal combustion version, for example the grille comes in the full plastic covering with no vents, but if spec'd in the M Sport package, you will get the normal grille with the slated vents, but there is no openings and just there for aesthetic purposes. Other difference would be the rims but this specific spec came with the M Sport style rims, there is also blue accents around the car, which just gives the indication that you are driving something from the i range. There are no exhaust pipes but the rear diffuser is designed as such to give the car a neat and stylish rear.  The interior is exactly like the normal X1, with BMW's new design language with the floating arm rest and that gives it that modern and ergonomic feel. The focal point would be the curved display that houses a split between the infotainment and instrument cluster but that will be discussed later in the review. 

PERFORMANCE

The iX1 comes powered with BMW's fifth generation EV drive, known as the eDrive 5.0. It has two electrically excited synchronous electric motors fitted to each axle making it all-wheel drive and hence getting that xDrive badge on the back. The e-Motor is capable of delivering 200kW with a max torque factor of 494Nm. This is all regulated via the various driving modes which is interchangeable by the driver depending on the type of drive they require. Obviously, the more output you want from the motor will equate in the more power consumed. I found that driving it in comfort mode was the best as it gave you a great mixture of power efficiency and performance. If there was a need to get a short burst of power, there is a single paddle shift behind the steering wheel on the left that serves as a boost function. In sport mode, the iX1 is capable of reaching 100km/h from a standing start in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed regulated at 180km/h. Now, electricity consumption, looking at the brochure, it will tell you that the iX1 averages 18.3kWh per 100km but what does that mean? I think its better I explain to you in range terms, a full charge will give you a range of 400km for average driving styles but as displayed on the instrument cluster, this range will vary and you could get up to a maximum of 450km from a single charge. The high-voltage 48V battery with recharging capabilities works like a dream on the car with it adapting well to any driving environment. Recouping energy on highway driving was what impressed me the most. Normally long distances on open road driving was frowned upon in EV's but with the iX1 I rarely noticed the drastic depletion in range and in some cases ended up gaining more range. So whether you're driving a total of 5km or 50km to get to work, chances are you're going to consume and generate the same percentage ratio of power to that you're consuming. 

CHARGING

I think a separate section on charging is required as I've had plenty of questions come in before on this topic. Yes, while it will take you maximum 10 minutes to fill up a combustion engine car at your fuel station, when it comes to electric cars its a little different  with charging times varying from 30 minutes to 4 hours at public chargers. I mentioned earlier about a mobile application called plugshare which basically gives you locations of various charging points, tells you what sort of chargers are present and if they are in use or not. The last part required the driver to "check-in" which I found was few and far times between, I'm guessing because this is still new to many and with the limited number of EV's on the road, there isn't a need right now to do so. I always found that when it comes to charging, its best to plan your charging trips, for example I only needed to charge the iX1 once, so I planned to meet a friend for coffee and quick catch up, I found a DC fast charging station that was convenient for the both of us to meet, got there, plugged it in and the car was done charging in 25 minutes! Most chargers are located in public spaces such as shopping malls, so many can integrate this into their shopping schedule or lunch plans, there wont be a need to sit and wait for your car to charge. Also, most of these charging spots have dedicated bays that are located close to entrances of the establishments so you have prime parking! The card that comes with the car can be loaded with credits to charge the car which still I'm told works out to cheaper than petrol per kilometer. The DC fast chargers do cost more to top up at than the regular AC chargers. The other option can be to charge at home which can be done via your normal 3-Pin socket but this takes up to 8 hours from 0-100%., if you get a 11kW wall box installed, this time drops to 2 hours. 

COMFORT

With the additional weight load of the batteries, you'd think it would make a difference to the ride quality but with the dual motor system and balancing from the overall design, you still get that famed 50/50 weight distribution that BMW have been renowned for. The car handles like a dream around bends and on the open road. The interior finished off in black leather was a decent contrast to the exterior white, but this combo might be boring for some, perhaps a change to a brown or mocha might stand out a bit more. Like most EV's, you have to get used to the silence from the drive, I find the additional engine noise through speakers in some other EV's being too gimmicky, which is why I'm glad BMW have embraced the change by not opting for that. Plus, the optional extra Harman Kardon sound system that the car came with was more than enough to keep the silence at bay. The infotainment comes with built in mobile apps which are accessed wireless but there are USB C charging ports available in the car for up to 4 devices. The car comes with all the creature comforts like the normal X1, from dual-zone climate control to the panoramic sunroof.  Was a bit disappointed that the driver seats was manually adjustable, would have expected for the price-tag that it would come with electric seats as standard but maybe it used too much battery power, I kid. The rear seats are spacious enough for two adults and the luggage space is a handy 491-litres and if need be the rear seats do fold down for additional loading requirements. 

VERDICT

The signs of progression in the electric car segment is positive and the iX1 is proof of this. Fitting in well with its environments and giving the driver a sense of confidence in doing extra distances without the fear of getting stuck with a flat battery or worrying where to charge it. Yes, with the prices starting at just north of R1,2 million, it is a tough pill to swallow but when you think about the fluctuation in fuel costs and basic maintenance in ICE cars, depending on the conditions, the EV could be the car just for you. If your daily commute to and from work is minimal and on the odd occasion you find yourself going on slightly longer drives, you could save a lot of money on fuel with a car like the iX1 and the good thing is you still have the space to do so. As we see brands adapt to the market, bringing in a bigger range of their EV's, we should start seeing healthy competition in this space with keener pricing. Apart from that, the ever growing network of charging facilities will grow as there will be a demand for this as well. Like I said at the beginning of this article, I think a world where EV and ICE can coexist in harmony, as technology in the EV segment continues to improve, this might see some house-holds phase out the latter, it all comes down to user preference. Either way, the future of motoring is exciting and dare I say, electric. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor	eDrive 5.0 M170SF
Gear Box	Single stroke
Torque	494Nm
Power	200kW
0-100km	5.6 seconds
Price	R1,205,000*

*base price