MellowVans takes three-wheelers to Europe

January 24, 2025

From the newsletter

Electric vehicle manufacturer MellowVans has become the first South African automaker to export its three-wheeler EVs to the European Union. The company’s EV is also the first electric tricycle in the world to be declared road legal in Europe. South Africa is the latest country in Africa to export EVs to Europe after Morocco.  

  • MellowVans, which is based in Stellenbosch, has partnered with Dutch mobility supplier Dockr and DHL Europe to test its vehicles in Belgium and the Netherlands, respectively. The vehicle will be used primarily for last-mile parcel deliveries.

  • The use of the vehicle in South Africa has risen in recent years. It has been adopted mainly by e-commerce firms for delivery of goods to buyers. It is being used by DHL, DPD Laser, Pick n Pay Asap!, SkyNet, Spar2U, and Takealot.

More details

  • Africa’s electric three-wheeler market was valued at $75.65 million in 2024. It is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.54% to reach a value of $194.65 million between 2025 and 2032. Demand for electric three-wheelers on the continent is rising. They offer more mobility in congested areas than cars and have a higher carrying capacity than motorcycles.

  • The market has attracted a growing number of manufacturers who mainly import components and assemble them locally. The top manufacturers include Yamaha Motor Company Limited, Mazi Mobility Company, Lifan Technology (Group) Co. Ltd., ATUL Auto Limited, Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited, Terra Motors Corporation, and Piaggio & C. SpA.

  • Three-wheelers are a popular passenger vehicle, often deployed to ferry commuters within short distances than vans and buses. They are also popular for delivery of packages due to the meteoric rise of e-commerce on the continent in recent years.

  • Many countries on the continent manufacture electric three-wheelers. Most notable ones are Morocco, Kenya and South Africa. The latter’s advancement has enabled it to cross into the European market. With demand rising for the units globally, MellowVans may target Asia and North America for further expansion.   

  • The increased local manufacture of electric three-wheelers will accelerate the continent’s adoption of EVs. Africa has the smallest EV market in the world with less than 50,000 units sold in 2024. This may limit Africa-based EV manufacturers that want to expand their market. China has the largest EV market in the world, with more than 7.6 million units sold in 2024. Europe is the second largest market with 3.2 million units sold, while 1.8 million units sold in North America. 

Our take

  • Africa has lagged behind other continents when it comes to the manufacture and use of EVs. The continent has primarily been relying on importing EVs, but this is shifting. More and more EVs are now being made in Africa. With demand for EVs set to continue rising in the coming decades, Africa should position itself to take advantage of the growing market.

  • The continent still lags behind when it comes to infrastructure. Taxes remain high in most countries, while the cost of production is high. Policies around EVs have also been haphazard. Africa must solve these issues to make it ready for further investments in EV manufacturing. With the continent’s population of more than 1.3 billion people, the potential is high.

  • To succeed, Africa’s EV’s manufacturers must tailor their vehicles to suit their target markets. For instance, MellowVans’ three-wheelers will be primarily used to deliver parcels in Europe. With this in mind, manufacturers can tailor their EVs to suit the needs of buyers. In Africa, where most roads are in poor condition, making electric three-wheelers that can navigate such environments will also be key.