CHARGE Pledges R9.4 Billion For The Development Of The First Off-grid EV Charging Sites In KwaZulu-Natal

CHARGE Pledges R9.4 Billion For The Development Of The First Off-grid EV Charging Sites In KwaZulu-Natal. Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) pledged R9.4 billion at the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference for the development of off-grid renewably powered electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the province. CHARGE also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in support of this project.

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 pledge and MOU were signed by the executive chair of CHARGE, Joubert Roux and the HOD of EDTEA, Mr Nhlakanipho Ncontwana with the support of the MEC of EDTEA, Rev. Musa Zondi during the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference. The conference was attended by various National Ministers, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli , government and business leaders as well as ambassadors and international stakeholders.

The MOU outlines the EDTEA’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for the rollout of off-grid EV charging stations in KwaZulu-Natal. In particular, the development of the first off-grid, ultra-fast electric truck charging and battery swapping stations in South Africa, and the world. The municipalities where the charging facilities will be located are listed below.These charging stations form part of the 120 renewable EV charging facilities that CHARGE 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 committed to acting as a “one-stop shop” for the development of the CHARGE network in the province, which 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 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.”

Crucially, CHARGE’s off-grid charging stations will continue to operate uninterrupted during loadshedding and will provide a clean, zero-emission alternative to charging from Eskom’s primarily dirty coal-powered grid. CHARGE’s own research shows that 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.

The EDTEA has expressed its full support for the CHARGE initiative, recognising the transformative impact EVs, and in particular, clean charging can have in guiding South Africa towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

MEC Musa Zondi said: “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.”

“We are proud to partner with the EDTEA in developing this network across KwaZulu-Natal’s agricultural regions,” Roux continued. “Farmers are essential to this effort, and we are committed to providing them with added revenue streams through a share of up to 5% of the revenue generated by charging stations on their land, as well as surplus electricity.”

This MOU aligns with similar partnerships established by CHARGE in other provinces, including the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Free State. These agreements underscore a broader commitment to sustainable, off-grid solutions that ease dependence on South Africa’s coal-powered grid.CHARGE remains committed to working with national, provincial and local government to facilitate the development of green charging solutions throughout South Africa in line with national and provincial green energy policies, which will also contribute towards energy security in the country.

The municipalities where the charging stations will be located are: