The energy transition is accelerating in the South African mobility sector. In the Free State province, 4.3 billion rand ($234 million) will be invested in charging infrastructure in the coming months. The announcement was made by Zero Carbon Charge (ZCC), which has just entered into a partnership with the Free State provincial government.
Today, the Free State provincial government, in partnership with Zero Carbon Charge, launched the off-grid, green and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Bloemfontein. pic.twitter.com/gh1eqBeHRS
— FS DESTEA (@FSDESTEA) May 14, 2024
The agreement, signed in the judicial capital Bloemfontein, includes the installation of a network of 15 charging stations for electric passenger vehicles and 7 charging stations for electric trucks. The work will be carried out by ZCC and Zero Carbon Logistics, with full delivery of the facilities scheduled for September 2025.
Off-grid charging stations
The creation of this network of charging stations “will promote not only off-grid electric vehicle charging stations, but also socio-economic benefits such as job creation and skills development, while supporting green mobility and energy resilience,” explains Thabo Meeko, the Free State’s Minister of Economy, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environment (Destea).
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ZCC’s charging stations will be powered entirely by photovoltaic solar energy. As a result, the charging stations will be protected from power outages by state-owned electricity company Eskom. In addition, charging via solar energy “will provide a clean, emission-free alternative to Eskom’s coal-fired network, which is essentially polluting,” says ZCC.
Construction of 120 charging stations throughout South Africa
The future network of solar charging stations will cover the local municipalities of Mohokare, Ngwathe, Metsimaholo, Mafube, Tokologo, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mangaung, Dihlabeng, Kopanong, Phumelela, Moqhaka, Mantsopa and Masilonyana. The company, led by Joubert Roux, sees this project as part of its program to roll out 120 charging stations for electric passenger cars with renewable energy and 120 charging stations for electric trucks in South Africa.
ZCC will thus play a key role in the development of environmentally friendly mobility in the rainbow nation. The Environment for Development (EfD) network of research centers estimates that electric cars and plug-in hybrids could account for up to 20% of the new car market in South Africa by 2030.
Jean-Marie Takouleu
Afrik 21
www.afrik21.africa