[imagesource: Chevrolet]

Bakkies of a certain variety don’t come cheap.

For example, snapping up a new Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI double cab Extreme 4Motion costs a tick over R1 million, which is just below the price of the Porsche Macan.

However, can you put a price on the smugness that comes with driving an eclectic vehicle (EV)?

You can and it packs a punch. As MyBroadband points out, the final price “includes value-added tax (VAT) and ad valorem duty on the car’s value” as well as shipping costs:

Currently, South Africa’s VAT rate is 15% and it is calculated on the value of the vehicle + 10%. Those importing electric vehicles to the country can expect to pay 30% ad valorem.

South Africa also charges an additional 25% import tax on EVs.

When you add that to the US retail price of the bakkies (or SUVs) you start looking at some sizeable figures.

MyBroadband chose three EVs to focus on – the Ford F-150 Lightning EV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC’s Hummer EV2 Pickup.

You can see a breakdown of how each component of the import affects the final price here. These are the basics:

• Ford F-150 Lightning EV – retail price is $39 974 in US, final price with import costs added is R1,17 million.
• Chevrolet Silverado EV – retail price is $39 900 in US, final price with import costs added is R1,17 million.
• GMC’s Hummer EV2 Pickup – retail price is $79 995 in US, final price with import costs added is R2,35 million.

The Hummer’s range (400 kilometres) is significantly less than that of the Silverado (640 kilometres) and only slightly larger than the F-150 Lightning (360 kilometres).

Then you have to put your faith in Eskom keeping the lights on so that you don’t run out of power three-quarters of the way to Knysna.

Maybe you’re the sort who prepares for all eventualities and you have a spare battery tucked away. Good for you,

The gist of the argument is that with all three vehicles you end up paying well over retail price by the time it hits our roads.

[source:mybroadband]