R9.4 billion boost for electric vehicles in South Africa

As the electric vehicle (EV) market slowly but surely begins to take shape in South Africa, Cape-based company Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has pledged R9.4 billion for the development of off-grid renewably powered EV charging infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal.

This was revealed at the recent KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference, where a memorandum of understanding between CHARGE and the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in support of this project was also signed.

The rollout will include a truck charging and battery swapping route on the major freight N3 highway between Durban and Johannesburg as well as the development of 17 solar-powered electric passenger vehicle charging stations.

The municipalities where the charging stations will be located are:

• Alfred Duma Local Municipality
• uMuziwabantu Local Municipality
• Umkhanyakude District Municipality
• Okhahlamba Local Municipality
• Abaqulusi Municipality
• Greater Kokstad Local Municipality
• Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality
• uMngeni Local Municipality
• Mkhambathini Local Municipality
• Umuziwanbantu Municipality
• Greater Kokstad Local Municipality
• uPhongolo Local Municipality
• UMlalazi Local Municipality

Broadly, the MOU outlines that the EDTEA has made a commitment to creating a conducive environment for the rollout of off-grid EV charging stations in KwaZulu-Natal.

In particular, it includes the development of the first off-grid, ultra-fast electric truck charging and battery swapping stations.

The partnership with EDTEA aims to develop a network of off-grid EV charging stations across KwaZulu-Natal’s agricultural regions, where farmers can benefit by receiving up to 5% of the revenue generated from charging stations on their land, along with access to surplus electricity.

CHARGE said that these charging stations form part of the 120 renewable EV charging facilities that it is developing across the country, spaced at 150km intervals.

An additional 120 electric truck charging stations will also be developed on major highways across South Africa.

The EDTEA and the Trade and Investment Agency of KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) has said that they will act as a “one-stop shop” for the development of the CHARGE network in the province.

This will include a focus on reducing the regulatory red tape currently hampering the approval processes for the building of the charging stations.

Furthermore, the EDTEA and TIKZN will play a role in identifying and advising on additional future electric passenger vehicle charging sites as well as locations for the development of off-grid electric truck charging sites across the province.

“We are grateful to the KwaZulu-Natal Government for their support and belief in our project,” said CHARGE executive chairman Joubert Roux.

“This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in KwaZulu-Natal’s transition to sustainable energy and transportation, preparing the province for the shift to EVs in South Africa,” he added.

CHARGE’s off-grid charging stations will operate uninterrupted in the event of grid power interuptions and “will provide a clean, zero-emission alternative to charging from Eskom’s primarily dirty coal-powered grid,” said the company.

According to research commissioned by CHARGE, an EV charged from Eskom’s national power grid indirectly emits 5.8 tonnes of CO2 per year. By comparison, an average petrol-powered car emits 4.4 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“This highlights that simply swapping petrol cars for grid-powered EVs won’t help reduce emissions,” said CHARGE.

MEC Musa Zondi said that “the launch of CHARGE’s green charging stations marks a transformative step in our journey towards a carbon-neutral economy.”

“The MOU underscores our commitment to not only reducing our carbon footprint but also creating new economic opportunities and enhancing energy resilience in our communities.

“We hope that KwaZulu-Natal can set a bold example for other provinces on how to achieve sustainable growth that benefits both our citizens and the planet,” added Zondi.

This pledge comes on the back of numerous hefty solar EV charging investments made by the company.

For example, in October 2024 CHARGE announced a R11.4 billion investment in the rollout of charging stations in the Eastern Cape, starting in the first quarter of 2025.

Read: This is what’s stopping an electric vehicle boom in South Africa