Eskom Sparks Change with Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across South Africa

South Africa's energy landscape is gearing up for a transformation as Eskom, the nation's principal electric utility, powers up its commitment to sustainability by launching its own network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The pilot initiative was unveiled at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) located in Midrand, Gauteng, marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s transportation infrastructure.

This ambitious pilot project comprises the procurement of 20 electric vehicles, ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks, designated for operational purposes and underscored by the installation of 10 charging stations strategically placed at five Eskom sites across the country. The targeted locations include Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg, and Marathon CNC in Mbombela. These sites represent the initial phase of Eskom Distribution’s far-reaching strategy to electrify its entire fleet by the year 2024, setting a robust trajectory for fleet-wide electrification.

Gabriel Kgabo, Eskom’s General Manager in the Office of Group Executive for Distribution, emphasized the broader objectives of the initiative. "We continue to focus our long-term strategy to deliver a competitive, sustainable, and future-proof Eskom to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa," Kgabo stated.

Eskom's pursuit of eMobility aligns with its goal to reduce carbon emissions while propelling local economic stimulation and generating new growth avenues. The utility’s efforts dovetail with governmental measures to harmonize South Africa's participation in the global EV market, utilizing levers such as the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) in December 2023 and the incentives announced by the National Treasury to catalyze local EV production beginning in 2026.

The newly installed charging stations are the result of a partnership with Gridcars. These state-of-the-art stations include direct current (DC) fast chargers rated at 60kW and dual alternating current (AC) chargers offering 22kW, catering to various charging requirements such as overnight fleet charging and daytime power-up solutions for employees and guests.

Eskom envisions this project as a blueprint for future EV rollouts across its entire operation, contributing to the company's broader environmental commitments which include achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As South Africa navigates toward a greener future, Eskom's initiative marks a groundbreaking turn toward embracing renewable energy and cutting-edge technology in transportation.