{"id":801941,"date":"2024-11-30T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=801941"},"modified":"2024-11-30T13:01:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T11:01:24","slug":"first-off-grid-electric-vehicle-charging-station-launches-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/801941\/first-off-grid-electric-vehicle-charging-station-launches-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"First off-grid electric vehicle charging station launches in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHARGE has officially opened its first off-grid, ultra-fast, green electric vehicle (EV) charging station to the public in Wolmaransstad in the North West province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 28 November 2024, CHARGE (formerly Zero Carbon Charge) launched the first renewable energy-powered EV charging station in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It relies almost entirely on solar and battery power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will form part of the country\u2019s first national network of 120 solar-powered charging facilities that CHARGE will be rolling out on major highways at 150km intervals over the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to be officially opening our first off-grid charging station, which marks a significant milestone in South Africa\u2019s transition to EVs and a carbon-free future,” said Joubert Roux, Executive Chairman of CHARGE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This has been a three-year journey, highlighting our commitment to making our off-grid network a reality as we believe it will benefit South Africans in multiple ways,\u201d\u00a0he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wolmaransstad off-grid EV station offers six DC fast chargers (25-minute charge) and two AC chargers with a farm stall.<\/p>\n\n\n

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CHARGE officials, Deputy Minister of Electricity Samantha Graham-Mar\u00e9, North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane and Maquassi Hills Local Municipality Mayor Mzwandile Feliti at the launch.
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Commenting on the event, Deputy Minister of Electricity Samantha Graham-Mar\u00e9 said that \u201cwe are actively driving renewable energy investments in South Africa, and I am truly inspired to see the determination and passion that the CHARGE team has displayed in driving this incredible development.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe project is also aligned with the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan, which will be launched early next year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The plan\u2019s focus is on renewables driving local manufacturing, which will support projects such as CHARGE\u2019s where off-grid EV charging stations will be developed at scale,\u201d said Graham-Mar\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are grateful for the immense support shown by the North West Provincial Government and the Maquassi Hills Municipality [as] they were the first government entities in the country to grant approval for the construction of our off-grid charging stations\u201d, said Roux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other provinces are following suit with MOUs recently signed with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State,  Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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R9.4 billion boost for electric vehicles in South Africa<\/a><\/blockquote>