MISA urges Ministers to buy electric vehicles

MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, urges Ministers and their deputies to lead by example by buying electric vehicles when they spend the R800 000 limit to purchase official vehicles allocated by National Treasury.

Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in October 2021 that South Africa identified three key priorities for climate action, including increased production of electric vehicles.

In his State of the Nation (SONA), address in February 2022 the President repeated, “investments in electric vehicles and hydrogen will equip South Africa to meet the global clean energy future.”

MISA believe that Ministers and their deputies should take it upon themselves to give preference to electric vehicles, but if they fail to do so National Treasury should enforce this in the policy for buying official vehicles.

MISA strongly oppose that Government Departments can purchase directly from the manufacturer where the vehicle is new. “National Treasury must reconsider this. Government has a responsibility to support the more than 300 000 employees in the retail motor industry,” says Keyter.

Keyter says Eskom’s inability to provide sustainable power and daily cable theft resulting in power outages, are the biggest challenges when considering moving to electric vehicles. These are challenges that requires Government’s urgent action because it is vital.

MISA also urged George Lekorotsoana, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, to respond to the request of the Union in March, to be included as a stakeholder in Government’s review of the pricing methodology for petrol. Lekorotsoana, yesterday, said that he did not receive MISA’s previous requests.

“The fuel price relief, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana implemented, will end on 31 May 2022. Godongwana reduced the general fuel levy by R1.50 per litre to shield motorist from the impact of the skyrocketing global fuel hikes, since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Unfortunately experts predict that this invasion will not end soon,” says Keyter.

MISA believes that Government must extend the fuel price relief until a sustainable long-term solution can be implemented.

According to Prof Koos Malan, Professor of Public Law at the University of Pretoria (UP), the problem is that Russia believes it can achieve its goals with the invasion of the Ukraine. The Ukraine believing it can continue to keep Russia at bay, thanks to the massive support the country is receiving from the United States of America (USA).

“The Ukraine became an unofficial member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is driving Russia’s fears.”

Malan says Government can afford to extend the fuel tax relief and agrees with Keyter that Government must take steps to get economic growth going.

MISA represents 54 000 members in the motor retail industry.

Issued on behalf of MISA by Sonja Carstens, Media, Liaison and Communication Specialist.

For MISA Press Releases, phone Carstens on 082 463 6806 or email Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za