The case for hybrid and range-extender vehicles in South Africa is becoming more relevant as motorists face another sharp increase in fuel prices.
On Wednesday (7 October), 95-octane petrol increased by 333 cents per litre to R30.25 inland and R29.38 on the coast, whilst 93-octane unleaded petrol rose by 312 cents per litre to R29.88 inland and R29.08 on the coast. Diesel prices also increased, with 0.05% sulphur diesel rising by 284.38 cents per litre to R31.95 inland and R31.08 at the coast, and 0.005% sulphur diesel increasing by 324.38 cents per litre.
The increases come as iCAUR prepares to introduce the V27 at the end of the year. The SUV uses a range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) system that combines a battery and electric motors with a petrol engine that acts as a generator.
The V27 has a 34.3 kWh battery and an electric-only range of 150 km. iCAUR claims a combined range of more than 1 000 km, potentially allowing owners to complete longer journeys without relying entirely on public charging infrastructure.
Unlike a conventional hybrid, the petrol engine in the V27 is not primarily used to drive the wheels. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine operates as a generator, supplying electricity when the battery charge is low. iCAUR claims a thermal efficiency of 45.79% and a conversion rate of 3.71 kWh per litre of petrol.
The V27’s electric motors therefore provide the propulsion, with the petrol engine effectively extending the vehicle’s operating range.
For motorists, this approach could offer some of the benefits associated with an electric vehicle while addressing concerns around charging infrastructure and long-distance travel.
The 150 km electric range also means that motorists with relatively short daily commutes could potentially complete much of their regular driving without using petrol, provided the vehicle is charged regularly. For longer trips, the petrol generator provides an alternative to stopping at a charger.
However, the potential benefits of a range extender depend heavily on how the vehicle is used.
A driver who regularly charges the V27 and covers most daily trips within its electric range could make greater use of its electric drivetrain. Someone who rarely charges the vehicle and frequently undertakes long-distance journeys would rely more heavily on petrol, reducing the potential fuel-saving benefit.
Electricity costs, the purchase price, insurance, servicing and eventual resale value would also need to be considered when calculating the vehicle’s overall cost of ownership.
According to Cars.co.za, fuel efficiency is becoming an increasingly important consideration for South African car buyers, with 52.5% of respondents identifying it as a factor when choosing a vehicle. Purchase price remained the most important consideration at 70.8%.
Cars.co.za’s Industry Report 2026 also points to the importance of looking beyond the initial purchase price and considering factors such as fuel economy, cost per kilometre and servicing when assessing the total cost of owning a vehicle.
This is where vehicles such as the V27 occupy an interesting position. A range-extender system does not eliminate the need for petrol, but it can reduce the role the internal-combustion engine plays in everyday driving.
The V27 also features a 6 kW vehicle-to-load system, allowing the battery to supply electricity to external equipment.
iCAUR describes the system as a practical option for South African driving conditions, combining electric driving for shorter trips with the flexibility of a petrol generator for longer journeys.
With fuel prices continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the appeal of hybrid and range-extender technology is therefore less about replacing petrol completely and more about reducing how often it is needed.
For South African buyers, the question will ultimately come down to whether the additional technology and purchase cost of a vehicle such as the V27 can deliver meaningful savings over the period of ownership.