The ongoing spike in fuel prices will accelerate the electrification of the transport sector, according to managing director of NuEnergy Developments and chairperson of the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (Niasa), Des Muller.
Speaking at last month’s Manufacturing Indaba in Johannesburg, Muller said that the energy sector should play a more versatile role by providing safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy for the country. In his view this can only be achieved through a balanced combination of thermal, renewable/hydro and nuclear energy.
“Sustainable energy systems should also be able to power an imminent electric transport sector,” said Muller. Arjan Keizer, co-author of a recent Energy Insights report by global analyst McKinsey, pointed out that the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) technology in the freight sector appeared to be progressing faster than expected, potentially presenting a major challenge to the diesel-fuelled truck market.
With Tesla’s electric truck expected to enter the heavy duty truck segment as early as next year, Kreizer believes fully electric trucks could account for 15% of global truck sales by 2030.
