Eskom Distribution has officially launched its Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, marking a significant step toward a sustainable and innovative future. The power utility made the announcement on its X page on Wednesday.
“By setting our standard for eMobility in South Africa, we are not just reducing our carbon footprint but paving the way forward,” remarked Gabriel Kgabo, the General Manager in the Office of the Group Executive, who led the launch.
Eskom is positioning itself as a key player in supporting the development of the electric mobility (eMobility) sector in South Africa. This launch will integrate Eskom into the anchor market for EVs, contributing positively to the stimulation of the local market.
Eskom announced that the pilot project will include the acquisition of 20 electric vehicles (EVs) for operational purposes, ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks. As part of this initiative, 10 charging stations will be installed at five Eskom locations across the country. These sites are:
- Midrand, Johannesburg
- Brackenfell, Cape Town
- Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg
- Tlhabane Customer Network Centre, Rustenburg
- Marathon Customer Network Centre, Mbombela
In February, Eskom announced that it had submitted the residential time-of-use (ToU) charging tariff to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for approval.
This tariff will allow EV owners to save significantly by charging their vehicles during off-peak and standard periods, thereby encouraging EV adoption and boosting electricity sales.
This initiative aligns with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) vision of achieving “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050.
Eskom has also embarked on a pilot project to introduce electric vehicles—both utility and passenger—to its fleet, which currently comprises around 13,000 vehicles.
Earlier this month, Eskom signed a memorandum of cooperation with Golden Arrow Bus Services to develop electric vehicle infrastructure in the South African market, including charging stations.
Golden Arrow plans to introduce 120 electric buses, aiming to convert 10% of its fleet to EVs by the end of 2025.
#EskomDistribution has launched its Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure today, leading the path to a sustainable and innovative future.
“By setting our standard for eMobility in South Africa, we are not just reducing our carbon footprint but paving the way forward”… pic.twitter.com/1AZMaCucaX
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) August 21, 2024
