Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Road/Rail Freight
Technology

SA freeways get R9.4 billion EV charging stations

20 Nov 2024 - by Staff reporter
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Zero Carbon Charge (Charge) has pledged R9.4 billion for the development of off-the-grid renewably powered electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), starting with the N3 route from Durban to Johannesburg.

Charge signed the investment pledge at the KZN Investment Conference last week, where it also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in support of the project.

The roll-out 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.

Charge’s chief executive, Joubert Roux, and EDTEA HOD Nhlakanipho Nkontwana signed the pledge and MOU with the support of EDTEA MEC Musa Zondi during conference.

The MOU outlines EDTEA’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for the roll-out 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 the country.

The charging stations form part of the 120 renewable EV charging facilities that the company 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. 

“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.”

The 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.

According to Charge’s research, 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.

Zondi expressed his department’s full support for the initiative.

“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,” said Zondi.

Roux said the project would be rolled out across the province’s agricultural regions.

“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.”

He said the MOU aligned with similar partnerships the company had established in other provinces, including the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Free State. The agreements underscore a broader commitment to sustainable, off-grid solutions that ease dependence on the coal-powered grid.

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 and UMlalazi Local Municipality.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Deployment of new RTGs at PoCT speeded up

Logistics

A general cargo vessel carrying a second batch of new RTGs is expected imminently.

Today 15:30
0 Comments

ULCV successfully docks at Ngqura, makes history

Logistics
Sea Freight

“This achievement solidifies our status as a significant player in the maritime industry.” – TNPA

Today 15:15
0 Comments

Trump tariffs – July 9 deadline draws nearer

Imports and Exports
Trade/Investment

One of the countries that has already learned its fate in the face of punishing duties is Vietnam.

Today 15:15
0 Comments

Fuel price hikes a strain for consumers

Energy/Fuel

Double-digit price increases and a higher fuel levy will place financial pressure on households.

Today 15:15
0 Comments

Pork for citrus? South Africa faces tough US trade choice

Imports and Exports

If SA’s disease-free status is compromised, PRRS could come at a heavy cost to local pork producers.

Today 15:15
0 Comments

Carrier launches direct flights to London Gatwick

Air Freight

The new route enhances the Kenya-UK Economic Partnership Agreement.

Today 12:30
0 Comments

Creecy reiterates rail cargo volume targets

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The intention to re-establish rail as the backbone of transport is fundamental to reforms in SA.

Today 11:45
0 Comments

Resilience required for air sector disruption – executive

Air Freight

Air traffic in the region is expected to rise by an average of 6.4% annually.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Insight of the week: legally ditching higher duties

The actual practice can be traced back to 1882, when an importer in the United States had sugar coated with molasses.

Yesterday
0 Comments

How to avoid the fear of being evaluated

Freight & Trading Weekly
Logistics
Skills & Training

Lifelong learning has become the norm across all economic sectors, both in the UK and globally.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Skills needed to unfreeze African growth potential

Logistics

Growth in demand for cold chain efficiencies is being driven by economic development and rising income.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Iran seeks full control of Russian Caspian Sea terminal

Logistics

The port handles a broad range of goods, including grain, timber, metal products and fertilisers.

Yesterday
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Cold Chain Logistics 4 July 2025

Border Beat

Forum tightens net against border corruption
25 Jun 2025
Police clamp down on cross-border crime
17 Jun 2025
Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

New

Road Logistics Pricing Specialist

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
02 Jul
New

Operations Manager

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
02 Jul
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us