Electric Trucks
Heavy commercial EVs
Electric trucks built for South African freight operations
Our SANY electric truck range spans the full spectrum of South African freight requirements — from 3-tonne urban rigids replacing diesel vans on city routes, to 480 kW PBS-rated tractor units operating at up to 120-tonne GCM, on-road or off-road.
All models are supported by Flux Fleet's full-service model: feasibility study, DC fast chargers and depot charging infrastructure, driver training, and ongoing fleet monitoring. We handle the transition so your operation is never disrupted.
Why South African operators are switching to electric trucks
Diesel truck running costs have risen over 60% in five years. For high-cycle depot-based fleets, the economics of electric are now compelling — and the technology to support it is in South Africa.
70–80% lower fuel costs
Electricity at R2/kWh vs diesel at R22/litre. A 400 km daily route in an 8-tonne electric rigid costs roughly R640 in electricity vs R2,500 in diesel.
40–60% less maintenance
Electric drivetrains have far fewer moving parts — meaning fewer breakdowns and lower workshop bills.
Battery swap on heavy haulage
The SANY EV490 and EV650 support battery swapping — full charge in 5 minutes. Continuous operation without charging downtime.
Eliminates fuel theft
No diesel tank means no diesel theft — a significant hidden cost for many South African fleet operators, particularly in high-risk corridors.
Electric vs diesel truck — at a glance
| Metric | Diesel truck | Electric truck |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel / energy cost per km | R4.50–R6.00 | R1.60–R1.82 |
| Maintenance cost per km | R0.65 | R0.30 |
| Fuel theft exposure | High | None |
| CO₂ per 100 km | ~65 kg | 0 (tailpipe) |
| Typical payback period | — | 12–24 months |
Figures based on SANY EV350 8–12 tonne electric rigid vs comparable diesel rigid. Fuel costs at R22/litre diesel and R2/kWh electricity.
Which fleets are best suited to electric trucks?
Electric trucks deliver the strongest economics for depot-based operations with predictable daily routes. The combination of depot based charging and high daily utilisation produces the fastest payback.
- Distribution and logistics fleets covering 150–600 km per day
- Port and container logistics operators in Durban, Cape Town, and Ngqura
- Mining and industrial fleets operating on fixed shuttle routes
- Retail and FMCG distribution fleets with depot-based overnight charging
- Courier and last-mile delivery fleets in urban areas
| Vehicle | SANY FR601 |
| Payload | 3,000 kg |
| Power | 115 kW / 155 hp |
| Battery | 103 kWh |
| Range | 280 km |
| Energy cost | R0.69 per km (@ R2 excl per kWh) |
| Vehicle | SANY EV350-318 |
| Payload | 8–12 tonne |
| Power | 260 kW / 350 hp |
| Battery | 318 kWh |
| Range | 350–400 km |
| Energy cost | R1.60–R1.82 per km (@ R2 excl per kWh) |
| Vehicle | SANY EV490 |
| GCM | 56–80 tonne (PBS) |
| Power | 360 kW / 490 hp |
| Battery | 350 kWh (swappable) |
| Range | 200 km (@ 56 tonne GCM) |
| Energy cost | R3.26 per km (@ R2 excl per kWh) |
| Vehicle | SANY EV650-588 |
| GCM | 56–120 tonne (PBS) |
| Power | 480 kW / 650 hp |
| Battery | 588 kWh (swappable) |
| Range | 300 km (@ 56 tonne GCM) |
| Energy cost | R3.90 per km (@ R2 excl per kWh) |
| Vehicle | SANY EV650-600C |
| GCM | 56–80 tonne (PBS) |
| Power | 480 kW / 650 hp |
| Battery | 600 kWh |
| Range | 320 km |
| Energy cost | R3.70 per km (@ R2 excl per kWh) |
In-depth guide
Electric Trucks in South Africa: What Finally Tipped the Market, and Why the Efficiency Is Real
Electric trucks in South Africa — frequently asked questions
Are electric trucks available in South Africa?
Yes. Flux Fleet supplies SANY electric trucks in South Africa across the full weight range — from 3-tonne urban rigids to 120-tonne PBS-rated tractor units. Models are locally supported with service centres across the whole of Southern Africa, on-site service technicians and a R500 million parts warehouse in Olifantsfontein.
How much cheaper are electric trucks to run than diesel?
Electric trucks typically cost 70–80% less per kilometre to run than diesel equivalents. At R2/kWh grid electricity vs R22/litre diesel, a typical 8-tonne electric rigid costs around R1.60–R1.82 per km vs R4.50–R6.00 per km for a comparable diesel truck. Maintenance costs are also 40–60% lower due to fewer moving parts and no engine oil changes.
What range do electric trucks have in South Africa?
SANY electric trucks available through Flux Fleet offer ranges from 200 km to 400 km per charge depending on the model and load. The SANY FR601 3-tonner delivers 280 km, the EV350 8-tonne rigid does 350–400 km, and the heavy-haul EV650 achieves 300–320 km at 56-tonne GCM. Battery swap is available on the EV490 and EV650-588 for operations requiring continuous uptime.
How do I charge an electric truck fleet at my depot?
Flux Fleet installs depot charging infrastructure as part of every fleet electrification project. We conduct a grid capacity assessment, route operation analysis, specify the right AC or DC chargers for your vehicles and duty cycle, manage installation, and provide ongoing charger monitoring. Most depots use overnight charging for regular duty cycles, with DC fast charging added where vehicles need a mid-shift or lunch time top-up.
What electric trucks are available for heavy haulage and mining in South Africa?
The SANY EV490 (56–80 tonne GCM, 490 hp) and SANY EV650 (up to 120 tonne GCM, 650 hp) are purpose-built for heavy haulage and mining operations and designed to thrive in these demanding environments. Both support battery swap for continuous operation.
How fast do electric trucks charge?
Charging speed depends on the truck model and charger type. The SANY EV350 8-tonne rigid supports 400 kW DC fast charging — a 20–80% charge takes around 30 minutes and adds approximately 240 km of range. The SANY EV490 tractor charges 20–80% in around 45 minutes, and the EV650-588 in around 55 minutes. Both the EV490 and EV650-588 also support battery swapping, which takes under 5 minutes and eliminates charging downtime entirely for operations on high-frequency routes.
What is the payback period for switching to electric trucks?
For fleets in the right use cases, payback on the premium over a diesel truck is typically under 2 years when factoring in fuel and maintenance savings - and we help you find these ideal use cases. Flux Fleet models the exact TCO for your fleet before any capital is committed — using your actual routes, consumption data, and fuel/electricity costs.
Learn about SANY's South African investment — local assembly in Boksburg, a R500m parts warehouse, and a nationwide service network that keeps your fleet running.