By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
The arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort last week, priced from R339 900, made headlines as South Africa’s most affordable electric vehicle (EV). Its launch signalled that the winds of change in mobility are no longer approaching; they’re here. If motorists were still unsure about the seriousness of EVs, now is the time to pay attention: the future has arrived. While many celebrated this milestone, I found myself reflecting on how ready we are as a society for the EV rollout, particularly when it comes to infrastructure. That thought led me back to my own time behind the wheel of the MINI Aceman.
First Impressions
The Aceman is an electric crossover that commands attention with its striking looks.
Once I had the keys, I couldn’t resist hitting the road. Keeping it parked would have
been a waste. To my delight, it proved surprisingly spacious—my family of four, all on the larger side, fitted in comfortably. Although it lacked the trademark go-kart feel I’ve come to expect from MINI, it was far from disappointing. The Aceman delivered a smooth yet engaging drive, with instantaneous electric response whether cruising the freeway or zipping through Jozi’s suburbs. It was fun, practical and undeniably modern.
Range anxiety
Yet, for all its charm, range anxiety quickly stole the spotlight. The Aceman’s range of just under 300 km felt precarious. Watching the numbers drop with every trip left me uneasy. Charging at home wasn’t feasible—too many people in my household rely heavily on the grid. And waiting for hours at slow public chargers isn’t something I enjoy. This meant the fast-charging stations at Mall of Africa became my lifeline. In an hour, I could be back on the road, but I had to leave home with at least 30 km of range to get there.
Charging infrastructure and etiquette
One Sunday, I arrived at the mall only to be beaten to the last available spot by an
anxious Volvo XC40 driver. She had travelled from Bloemfontein and barely made it to Pretoria to visit her sister. Her relief was palpable—she just needed enough charge to get to her final destination. The second station was occupied by another Volvo, left plugged in for over two hours with no driver in sight. The car had long been fully charged, yet it blocked access for others. Frustrated, I sat in the MINI, waiting, while silently cursing the absent driver’s selfishness.
The woman from Bloemfontein eventually returned after an hour of shopping,
apologising profusely once she realised the other car had not moved. When it was
finally my turn, I plugged in and went off to the shops myself, simply to avoid staring at the charge creeping up.
That afternoon highlighted two glaring issues: the shortage of charging infrastructure and the absence of charging etiquette. It cannot be sustainable to drive nearly 60 km just to find a fast charger, especially as more EVs pour into the country. Equally, inconsiderate behaviour at charging stations risks souring what should be a positive transition to greener mobility.
There must be a balance. As much as manufacturers push EVs into the market,
infrastructure investment needs to keep pace. And alongside that, education on
considerate use of charging stations is vital to prevent frustration and conflict.
Looking forward
By the time I left Mall of Africa with a fully charged Aceman, the absent Volvo driver was still nowhere to be found. It left me with mixed feelings: admiration for the MINI and sadness at how easily human behaviour can spoil a good thing. The Aceman itself is a stylish, capable EV that proves MINI hasn’t lost its flair. But my experience behind the wheel underscored that the EV revolution isn’t just about the cars—it’s about the systems and people around them. Until infrastructure and etiquette catch up, range anxiety won’t just be about the battery—it will be about the journey as a whole.
