A 4×4 electric bakkie is launching in South Africa soon

South Africa’s bakkie segment is becoming increasingly dynamic with the introduction of new plug-in hybrid and fully electric pick-up trucks. Following BYD’s launch of the Shark 6 PHEV and Ford’s planned release of a Ranger PHEV, Cape Town-based Enviro Automotive, known for introducing the R400,000 Dayun S5 Mini EV in South Africa, has announced the arrival of the Riddara RD6, a fully electric double-cab bakkie manufactured by the Chinese automotive giant Geely.

Read: Border to be patrolled by night-vision drones in South Africa

The Riddara RD6 will be the second electric double cab available locally, succeeding the Maxus T90 EV. However, Enviro Automotive anticipates that the RD6 will establish its own distinct position within the market. In contrast to the traditional body-on-frame construction of the Maxus, the Riddara features a unibody design. Significantly, it also marks the debut of the first all-electric 4×4 bakkie in South Africa.

Gideon Wolfaardt, CEO of Enviro Automotive, stated today, Thursday, April 10, 2025, that the era of internal combustion engine vehicles is concluding with the arrival of the new Riddara RD6. At its launch, scheduled for next month (May 2025), Enviro Auto will offer two distinct RD6 models: the RD6 4×4, a flagship model featuring a dual-motor setup delivering a combined output of 315kW and 595Nm of torque, enabling a claimed acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 190km/h; and the RD6 4×2, a rear-wheel-drive variant equipped with a single electric motor producing a respectable 200kW of peak power and 384Nm of torque. Both initial models will be equipped with a 73kWh battery pack, providing a claimed range of up to 424km on a single charge, with recharging facilitated by a 110kW DC fast charger capable of replenishing the battery in approximately 30 minutes.

See also

A notable feature of the RD6 is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing the bakkie’s battery to discharge up to 6kW of power, sufficient for running worksite equipment or essential household appliances during power outages. Designed for both everyday driving and off-road excursions, other key specifications of the RD6 include a load bin with a 1,200-liter capacity and a 1-ton payload rating, a towing capacity of up to 3 tons, and storage solutions including a 70-liter front trunk (“frunk”) and an additional 48 liters of hidden storage within the cabin.

Enviro Automotive has confirmed future plans to expand the Riddara RD6 lineup with an extended-range 4×4 model featuring an 86kWh battery and a more affordable 4×2 model equipped with a 63kWh battery. Buyers will receive a comprehensive warranty package comprising five years or 150,000km for the vehicle itself and eight years or 200,000km covering the battery pack. Enviro Automotive will manage all after-sales services and parts supply, and a remote monitoring solution for the battery and vehicle will be offered via Webfleet. The first Riddara RD6 units are anticipated to be available to South African consumers in May 2025, with pricing details for the various models expected to be announced shortly.