The road to sustainable travel in Southern Africa just got a major power boost. City Lodge Hotel Group, one of the region’s largest and most established hospitality chains, has officially plugged into the electric future.
The group now offers electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at eight strategically selected properties across South Africa, transforming them into essential hubs for the growing wave of eco-friendly road-trippers.
This move directly addresses the most common anxiety for EV drivers: range anxiety.
By installing Chargify stations at locations spanning from Kimberley to Gqeberha and Bloemfontein to Umhlanga, City Lodge is effectively creating a reliable network along key travel routes.
The initiative turns a necessary stop, charging a vehicle, into an opportunity for rest, refreshment, and productivity.
Seamless Charging Meets Signature Hospitality
The charging experience is designed for ease.
The stations are compatible with all new EVs sold in South Africa and feature AC points where guests use their own cables.
There’s no booking required; drivers can simply plug in and charge. While their vehicle powers up, guests can check in for a stay, enjoy a meal, or unwind with the group’s signature hospitality.
As Chief Operating Officer Lindiwe Sangweni Siddo states: “This initiative marks another significant step in our broader sustainability journey, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers while reducing our environmental footprint.
“Our focus has always been on making our guests’ stay easier and more comfortable. Introducing EV charging stations is yet another way we are elevating convenience while supporting sustainability across the group.”
The service caters not only to overnight guests but also to day visitors.
“For day visitors using our meeting and boardroom facilities, or those stopping in for breakfast, lunch, or a quick coffee and cake, our free high speed Wi Fi makes it easy to stay connected, catch up on work, or enjoy a quiet moment of relaxation,” adds Siddo.
A Strategic Partnership for a Greener Grid
The rollout is powered by a partnership with Chargify, a premier EV charging infrastructure provider backed by Mercedes‑Benz South Africa. This alliance connects City Lodge’s extensive hospitality footprint with Chargify’s expanding national network of over 120 stations.
Kgosi Diphokwane, Chief Executive Officer at Chargify, says: “City Lodge Hotels’ partnering with Chargify allows guests to be at the forefront of the EV charging revolution, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future whilst advancing our ambition to be a trusted and reliable EV charging network in South Africa.”
The Charged Properties:
The EV stations are now live at the following City Lodge Hotels Group properties:
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Gauteng: Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, Courtyard Hotel Sandton, City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood
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Free State: City Lodge Hotel Bloemfontein
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KwaZulu-Natal: Town Lodge Umhlanga, Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg
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Eastern Cape: Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha
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Northern Cape: Road Lodge Kimberley
The Bottom Line
This is more than an added amenity; it’s a strategic alignment with a shifting market. By investing in EV infrastructure, City Lodge Hotels is future-proofing its service for a new generation of travelers, directly linking its brand to innovation and environmental responsibility. It signals t
hat the essential road trip—a staple of Southern African travel—is entering a new, quieter, and cleaner era, with trusted hospitality brands providing the power along the way.
