Cape town - Eskom Distribution has launched its electric vehicle charging stations at five sites, marking a significant move towards a sustainable future.
This initiative, in collaboration with GridCars, supports the broader goal of electrifying Eskom’s fleet and reducing carbon emissions by 2050.
In an ambitious move to promote sustainable energy and reduce carbon emissions, Eskom Distribution has officially launched electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand, Gauteng.
This initiative is part of a pilot project that includes the installation of ten state-of-the-art charging stations across five sites nationwide, including locations in Brackenfell, Cape Town; Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg; Tlhabane Customer Network Centre in Rustenburg; and Marathon Customer Network Centre in Mbombela.
The newly unveiled infrastructure aims to support Eskom’s long-term strategy of electrifying its entire operational fleet by the year 2040.
As part of this commitment, Eskom plans to procure twenty electric vehicles, ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks, for use in daily operations.
The charging stations include Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers (60 kW) and Dual Alternating Current (AC) Chargers (22 kW), optimised for both overnight fleet vehicle charging and daytime customer service needs.
Gabriel Kgabo, General Manager in the office of the group executive at Eskom, emphasised that this initiative is not only pivotal for reducing Eskom’s carbon footprint but also crucial for stimulating the local electric vehicle market.
“By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for electric vehicles, we are creating new opportunities for growth while aligning with global EV ecosystems,” Kgabo said.
This latest development follows after Eskom and Golden Arrow Bus Services recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at introducing electric buses into South Africa’s public transport sector.
The plan is to replace 10% of its fleet with electric buses by the end of 2025, Golden Arrow is poised to leverage electricity generated by Eskom while exploring renewable energy options from the private sector.
Golden Arrow CEO Francois Meyer noted the importance of partnerships to successfully implement electric buses on a larger scale.
“This MOC will enable us to work together to provide a public bus service that is safe, reliable, and cost-effective,” Meyer said.
As part of its strategic initiatives, Eskom aims to integrate findings from this pilot project into future plans for electrification across its network.
With incentives announced by the National Treasury and the release of the EV White Paper from the Department of Trade Industry and Competition in December 2023, South Africa stands on the brink of a transformative era in sustainable transportation.
As Eskom pioneers this initiative with GridCars and collaborates with Golden Arrow, it sets a benchmark for public utility involvement in electric mobility—laying the groundwork for enhanced energy security and long-term sustainability throughout South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.