Japan reflections and a new Living Electric series
Tech Things #59
The public holidays between March and April disrupted my routine, and I was away for my birthday. This time, I experienced Japan at a slower pace, and as a 40-something traveller, I also learned more about myself. Even though I know who I am and what I stand for, a different environment can reveal new layers. It’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to travel: the different perspective.
Beyond the deeper reflections, there were simple realisations, like the fact that peak-season travel, with all its overstimulation, definitely isn’t for me, which I sort of knew. My highlights were catching the cherry blossoms during their brief 1-2 week bloom, and seeing Mount Fuji on a clear sunny afternoon.
You can marvel at how clean Japan is, from spotless public bathrooms to systems engineered for seamless flow, yet it still feels clinical. Even the smallest interactions are mediated: change is placed in trays to avoid contact, taxi doors open automatically, and queues form with quiet precision.
It’s a society that runs with remarkable efficiency, where everything feels optimised, even consumption itself. Everything from tech to clothing is cheaper than SA, plus you get your tax back as a foreigner. But beneath that polish lies a more complex reality: a reminder that surface perfection doesn’t always reflect the pressures and contradictions people live with daily. That said, I would go back in off-peak season.
Going back to the reality of the cost of fuel and living going up in SA, I received queries for advice on switching to a new energy vehicle. NEVs cover electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Because of that, and having a bunch of NEVs lined up for testing, back to back for a couple months, I’ve launched a new web series on Recharged called Living Electric.
It will cover the practical, real-world usage of living with an EV/PHEV to help you understand the costs involved, charging realities, tech difficulties/ease, accessing the driving data, etc; things you don’t find on a brochure. My first piece from my week with the Lexus RZ 500e SE was just published. It is lengthy but covers everything in this new format that should help with future NEV purchases. If you have feedback, please let me know.
https://www.recharged.co.za/living-electric-lexus-rz-500e-se/
In the midst of that, Geely launched what is now SA’s cheapest electric car, the Geely E2, which undercuts the BYD Dolphin Surf by a couple of thousands of rands, priced at R339 900. There are numerous article and independent studies that prove it costs less to maintain and run an EV (it has no engine and there are fewer than 20 moving parts inside) vs. an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. The issue in South Africa, due to higher import duties and luxury taxes, is that we pay more for EVs than other countries. The Geely E2 is a great option to consider at its price point. You can read more about it here:
I also published an opinion piece from a Dolphin Surf owner and family member, on how he feels about driving an EV six months in. Inside, I also included BYD South Africa’s sales figures for March 2026, which they’ve shared for the first time since entering the market in 2023.
Reads you may want to catch up on:
Till next time,
Nafisa