Africa Electric Vehicle Tires Market Size, CAGR & Forecast, 2025-2035

Hybrids, Chinese EV brands and Moroccan battery plants turn Africa's small EV fleet into a fast-growing tire niche

The Africa Electric Vehicle Tires market was valued at USD 0.329 Billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 1.016 Billion by 2035, an 11.93% CAGR, as electric car sales in Africa rose from about 4,000 in 2023 to about 25,000 in 2025. The market reaches USD 0.368 Billion in 2026.

The base is small but moving quickly. The IEA counts about 7,900 electric car sales in Egypt in 2025, 5,500 in Morocco and 3,800 in South Africa, together nearly 70% of the region. South African new-energy vehicle sales, including conventional hybrids, reached 16,716 in 2025 and 18,945 in just the first eight months of 2026. Chinese brands lead the push: BYD's share of Africa's EV market rose from 4% in 2023 to 35% in 2025, and Chery started up the former Nissan plant at Rosslyn in July 2026.

South Africa holds 33.84% of regional EV tire demand, Egypt 23.96%, Nigeria 16.03%, Algeria 10.15%, Morocco 10.02% and the Rest of Africa 6.00%. Supply is following demand. Dunlop finished an R1.7 billion upgrade of its Ladysmith plant in August 2026 to support the shift to new-energy vehicles, and Gotion's USD 1.3 billion battery gigafactory in Kenitra, Morocco, starts commissioning in October 2026.

EV tires carry higher load ratings, low rolling resistance and noise-reducing liners, so each fitment is worth more than a standard touring tire. That value gap, not volume alone, is why the market grows at 11.93% a year.

PHEV is the fastest-growing vehicle type while radial EV casings and low rolling resistance lead

By Vehicle Type: hybrids lead volume, PHEV grows fastest

Hybrid (non-plug-in) cars lead electrified volume in South Africa, with 49.6% of new-energy vehicle sales from January to August 2026. PHEV is the fastest-growing vehicle type, with South African sales up 280.8% in 2025, and plug-in hybrids made up 36.5% of the 2026 mix. BEV fitments are concentrated in Egypt and Morocco, which sold about 7,900 and 5,500 electric cars in 2025.

By Rim Size: under 18 inches leads, 18 to 20 inches grows

The Under 18 Inches band leads because compact EVs such as the BYD Dolphin Surf and Atto 2 use 16-inch and 17-inch wheels. The 18 to 20 Inches band grows with electric SUVs such as the Sealion 6, and Hankook reported that 18-inch and larger tires made up 47.8% of its 2025 passenger and light-truck tire sales worldwide. Above 20 Inches stays limited to premium imports.

By Tire Type: all-season EV tires lead

All-Season EV tires lead across Africa's mostly warm climates. Summer EV tires serve North African and premium buyers, and Winter EV tires are a very small niche. Michelin's Primacy 5, launched for the Middle East and Africa for combustion, hybrid and electric cars, claims 18% longer life and 5% lower rolling resistance than its predecessor.

By Technology: low rolling resistance leads, foam liners grow

Low Rolling Resistance compound is the leading technology because range matters most to EV owners. Noise-cancelling Foam grows in premium fitments, and Reinforced Sidewall designs carry the extra battery weight: Continental's HL load index adds up to 10% load capacity over XL at the same pressure. Hankook said EV tires made up 27% of its 2025 passenger and light-truck tire sales.

By Construction: radial EV casings dominate

Radial (reinforced/EV-specific casing) tires dominate, and EV-specific tires can cost up to 20% more than standard equivalents. Non-Pneumatic (emerging) designs remain at pilot stage. Local radial capacity is rising with Dunlop's R1.7 billion Ladysmith upgrade and new passenger tire plants planned in Egypt and Morocco.

By Sales Channel: OEM grows with local assembly, replacement leads

Replacement/Aftermarket leads because about 60% of car stock additions are used imports and most EVs are bought abroad. OEM demand grows as local assembly expands: Chery targets 40% localization at Rosslyn by 2028, and BMW's Rosslyn plant builds the X3 plug-in hybrid for export.

Five shifts are shaping EV tire demand across Africa

Plug-in hybrids lead the first wave in South Africa

South Africa's electrified market is led by hybrids, not battery-electric cars. naamsa data show 12,818 hybrid, 2,810 plug-in hybrid and 1,088 battery-electric sales in 2025, and the IEA says plug-in hybrids made up more than 70% of South Africa's electric car sales. From January to August 2026, hybrids took 49.6% of new-energy vehicle sales, plug-in hybrids 36.5% and battery-electric cars 13.8%. Heavier hybrids still need higher load ratings and quieter tires than the petrol cars they replace.

Chinese carmakers are building the EV parc

Chinese brands bring most new EV models to Africa. BYD entered Egypt in February 2026 with the Dolphin Surf, Sealion 6 EV and Sealion 6 DM-i, launched the Atto 2 DM-i in South Africa in June 2026 at R449,900, and targeted 35 South African dealerships by early 2026. Chery, which sold 2,631,381 vehicles worldwide in 2025, plans 50,000 units a year at Rosslyn with 40% localization by 2028. Their OE tire choices shape the replacement fitments that follow.

Two-wheelers and buses electrify faster than cars in East Africa

Kenya registered 25,277 electric motorcycles in 2025, 15.3% of all new motorcycles, and total EV registrations there rose from 1,378 in 2022 to 39,324 in 2025. BasiGo runs electric buses in Kenya and Rwanda with a reservation list of 1,200, and Ethiopia's ban on imports of combustion cars has pushed its EV fleet past 100,000 vehicles, close to 6% of the total, according to the government. These fleets create early demand for EV motorcycle and bus tires.

Policy frameworks are spreading

Governments are writing EV rules. South Africa's 150% first-year investment allowance for new-energy vehicle production took effect on 1 March 2026, Kenya launched its National Electric Mobility Policy in February 2026 with zero-rated VAT on e-buses and e-motorcycles, African Union ministers approved a Continental Framework on Electric Mobility in April 2026, and Egypt's Decree No. 503 of 2026 lets EV producers deduct up to 50% of investment from taxable profit over 7 years.

Battery and tire capacity cluster in Morocco and South Africa

Industrial supply is following. Gotion's Kenitra plant targets 20 GWh of cells, packs and storage in its first phase, Stellantis is spending EUR 1.2 billion to expand Kenitra vehicle output, and Dunlop's Ladysmith upgrade adds lines for SUV and very-low-rolling-resistance tires suited to heavier electrified cars.

A tiny battery-electric base, scarce chargers and used imports hold back EV tire volumes

Battery-electric sales are still very small

Battery-electric cars were only about 0.2% of South African new-vehicle sales in 2025, and their sales fell 13.4% to 1,088 units. The IEA Global EV Outlook 2026 puts electric cars at under 1% of South Africa's new car sales. With so few EVs on the road, dedicated EV replacement tires sell in small batches and carry high stocking costs for dealers.

Charging networks are thin

Egypt had fewer than 500 public chargers in early 2025, Ethiopia has about 500, and Morocco had about 1,000 charge points at the end of 2024. South Africa has several hundred public sites, and BYD and Eskom plan 200 to 300 more by the end of 2026. Limited charging keeps EVs in cities and slows adoption in the rural areas where most tire volume sits.

Used imports dominate fleet growth

About 60% of additions to Africa's car stock are used imports, according to the IEA, and most of them are combustion cars. Nigeria's alternative-fuel push is centered on compressed natural gas, with more than 100,000 CNG vehicles and 379 conversion centers, rather than on battery cars. Used and converted vehicles keep demand for standard tires high and EV-specific tire demand narrow.

Price gaps and local plant closures

EV-specific tires can cost up to 20% more than conventional ones, a hard sell where about 80% of Nigerian buyers choose budget tires. Local tire production is also shrinking: Goodyear announced the closure of its Kariega plant in June 2025, affecting about 900 jobs, and Continental's South African allocation was cut to 1.7 million tires a year. More imports mean longer lead times for less common EV sizes.

Market Drivers

South Africa's nascent EV-assembly investment (BMW, Mercedes export EV lines) signaling early local EV-tire demand (~+0.4% impact)

South Africa’s shift from ICE export assembly to electrified production is creating the first meaningful OE demand signal for EV-compatible tires in the region. BMW invested R4.2 billion to electrify Plant Rosslyn and started BMW X3 plug-in hybrid production there in 2024 for global export. Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s East London plant remains an export base and earlier produced the C 350 e plug-in hybrid for local and export markets, demonstrating that local plants and suppliers can already handle electrified-vehicle build requirements. Policy is becoming more supportive as well: the EV White Paper was issued in November 2023, and investments in new-energy vehicle and battery manufacturing became eligible for a 150% first-year tax deduction from March 2026. The main tire beneficiaries are OE premium passenger and SUV tires with lower rolling resistance, higher load capacity and tighter noise control; Continental’s HL specification was developed for heavier EVs and hybrids. Since South Africa accounted for 50.3% of African vehicle production in 2025, even modest electrified output can raise higher-spec tire sourcing, supporting roughly a 0.4% uplift in this study’s demand outlook.

Morocco's EV/battery supply-chain investment (Gigafactory announcements) positioning it as a future EV-tire hub (~+0.3% impact)

Morocco’s battery and EV supply-chain build-out is a stronger medium-term driver because it is creating the industrial density tire makers typically need before localizing. In June 2024, Morocco signed a strategic investment agreement with Gotion High-Tech for a 20 GWh battery gigafactory in Kenitra; Gotion’s local entity says phase one represents €1.28 billion of investment on a 156-hectare site and more than 2,000 jobs. Downstream materials are also advancing: COBCO inaugurated the first phase of its Jorf Lasfar complex in June 2025 with 40,000 tons of nickel-manganese-cobalt precursor cathode capacity, while the Moroccan industry ministry says the project is targeting 80% use of Moroccan green energy in 2025 and 100% by end-2026. On the vehicle side, Stellantis has committed more than €300 million to Kenitra, with capacity rising to 400,000 vehicles a year from February 2026 alongside electric micromobility output. This clustering should support OE demand for low-rolling-resistance passenger tires, urban-delivery commercial tires and small-diameter EV tires, positioning Morocco as a future tire hub and adding roughly 0.3% to regional demand through the forecast period.

Very low current EV parc keeping growth rates high off a small base as charging infrastructure slowly expands (~+0.3% impact)

The region’s low EV parc is also a driver, not a contradiction: percentage growth stays high because the starting base is tiny, and each improvement in charging broadens the addressable tire base. According to the IEA, Africa’s electric-car market rose from around 4,000 sales in 2023 to about 25,000 in 2025, led by Egypt, Morocco and South Africa; yet South Africa’s electric-car sales remained below 1% of new-car sales in 2025, with PHEVs accounting for more than 70% of electric-car sales, and UNECA describes continental adoption as the lowest globally and still at an early, uneven stage. Charging remains the key bottleneck, with UNECA-linked reporting indicating fewer than 1,000 charging stations across 26 African countries in early 2025. Even so, South Africa’s infrastructure is improving: TransUnion reports an EV-to-charger ratio of 1:7, expects chargers to grow around 20% annually over the next four years, and notes expansion by operators such as GridCars, Rubicon and Zero Carbon Charge. This keeps replacement demand small today but lifts growth rates for premium passenger, PHEV and crossover tires, contributing roughly 0.3% to regional demand.

South Africa leads EV tire demand, Egypt sells the most electric cars, and Morocco builds the supply chain

Production data come from national agencies and OICA.

South Africa: 33.84% of demand on the largest assembly base

South Africa holds 33.84% of the Africa Electric Vehicle Tires market. South Africa sold 16,716 new-energy vehicles in 2025, up 7.1%, and 18,945 in January to August 2026. South Africa built 618,077 vehicles in 2025, and its 150% investment allowance for new-energy vehicle production started in March 2026. Chery's Rosslyn plant in South Africa is planned for 50,000 units a year, and BYD and Eskom plan 200 to 300 public chargers by the end of 2026.

Egypt: 23.96% of demand and Africa's largest electric car market

Egypt holds 23.96% of regional EV tire demand. Egypt sold about 7,900 electric cars in 2025, the most in Africa, and built 89,570 vehicles, up 62%. Egypt targets 500,000 EVs produced a year by 2030 and lets EV makers deduct up to 50% of investment under Decree No. 503 of 2026. BYD entered Egypt in February 2026 through Mansour Group with three models.

Nigeria: 16.03% of demand led by gas and buses

Nigeria holds 16.03% of regional demand. Nigeria has more than 100,000 vehicles and 4,600 tricycles running on CNG and 379 conversion centers, with a target of 1 million CNG vehicles by 2027. In April 2026 Nigeria waived import duty on EVs and mass-transit buses, and an earlier Oando and Yutong plan targets 12,000 electric buses for Lagos over 7 years.

Algeria: 10.15% of demand as assembly restarts

Algeria holds 10.15% of regional demand. Algeria built 43,052 vehicles in 2025, up 43%, and Fiat's Tafraoui plant targets 90,000 vehicles in 2026, with the Fiat 500 Hybrid as Algeria's main electrified model. A decree of August 2026 exempts 10,000 buses and minibuses from import duties in Algeria.

Morocco: 10.02% of demand and the battery hub

Morocco holds 10.02% of regional demand. Morocco sold about 5,500 electric cars in 2025, pays purchase subsidies of MAD 50,000 to private buyers and MAD 100,000 to companies, and had about 1,000 charge points at the end of 2024. Gotion's USD 1.3 billion Kenitra plant in Morocco targets 20 GWh and 2,300 direct jobs.

Rest of Africa: 6.00% of demand led by Kenya and Ethiopia

The Rest of Africa holds 6.00% of regional demand. In the Rest of Africa, Kenya registered 39,324 EVs in 2025, including 25,277 electric motorcycles, and Ethiopia reports more than 100,000 EVs, about 6% of its fleet, with 15% duty on complete EVs and 0% on kits. BasiGo, active in Kenya and Rwanda, has a waiting list of 1,200 electric buses.

Recent Developments

• In October 2026, Gotion said its Kenitra gigafactory in Morocco will begin commissioning the week of 20 October, with phase one worth USD 1.3 billion and targeting 20 GWh of cells, packs and storage (Morocco World News).

• In August 2026, Dunlop, owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, completed a three-year, R1.7 billion upgrade of its Ladysmith plant in South Africa, adding tread and sidewall lines for SUV and light-truck tires to support the shift to new-energy vehicles (Business Day).

• In July 2026, Chery started up the former Nissan plant at Rosslyn, South Africa, planned for 50,000 vehicles a year on one shift, keeping all 692 employees and targeting 40% localization by 2028 (CnEVPost).

• In June 2026, BYD launched the Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid in South Africa at R449,900 and R489,900 (Cars.co.za).

• In February 2026, BYD entered Egypt through Mansour Group with the Dolphin Surf, Sealion 6 EV and Sealion 6 DM-i (BYD).

• In February 2026, Kenya launched its National Electric Mobility Policy with green number plates for battery-electric vehicles, after EV registrations rose to 39,324 in 2025 (HapaKenya).

Global tire brands compete for EV fitments as Chinese carmakers and Dunlop's local plant shape supply

Premium brands bring EV ranges from abroad

Michelin (Pilot Sport EV and e.Primacy) posted 2025 sales of EUR 26.0 billion and launched the Primacy 5 for the Middle East and Africa, a tire built for combustion, hybrid and electric cars with 5% lower rolling resistance. Continental (EcoContact 6 Q and eContact) supplied tires to 18 of the 20 largest battery-electric carmakers in 2024 and runs its Gqeberha plant on biomass, though its South African allocation was cut to 1.7 million tires a year. Pirelli (Elect) reported 2025 revenue of EUR 6,776.2 million, with High Value products at 79% of sales. Bridgestone (Turanza EV) closed its Gqeberha plant and now serves the market through imports and its national dealer network. Goodyear (ElectricDrive) announced the closure of its Kariega plant in June 2025 but keeps sales, distribution and Hi-Q retail in South Africa.

Asian specialists push EV-specific lines

Hankook (iON) posted 2025 revenue of KRW 21.2 trillion, said EV tires made up 27% of its passenger and light-truck tire sales, and expanded iON in Middle East replacement markets in February 2026. Sumitomo/Falken (Ziex EV) owns Dunlop's South African business and finished an R1.7 billion upgrade of the Ladysmith plant in August 2026, aimed partly at new-energy vehicles, which makes it the best-placed local producer for EV and SUV sizes.

Carmakers decide the first fitment

In Africa, the EV tire market is shaped by who sells the cars. BYD held 35% of Africa's EV market in 2025, Chery is the number two brand in South African sales in early 2026 and is localizing at Rosslyn, and BMW builds X3 plug-in hybrids at Rosslyn for export. The tires these carmakers fit at the factory set replacement demand for years, so tire brands compete for OE approvals with Chinese and German automakers as much as for dealer shelf space. Chinese tire makers investing in Egypt and Morocco, including Sailun, Guizhou Tire and ZC Rubber, add a low-cost option for these fitments.