Eskom has officially launched its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng.
“This marks a significant step in Eskom Distribution’s commitment to supporting the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa and contributing to the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions,” the group said.
The pilot project includes the procurement of 20 electric vehicles ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use.
The pilot project also involves the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.
The newly installed charging stations, in partnership with Gridcars, are Direct Curren (DC) Fast Chargers (60kW) and Dual Alternating Current (AC) Chargers (22kW), sized to cater for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
“This initiative will serve as a blueprint for the future rollout of electric vehicles across Eskom’s entire fleet. It is one of the levers that will steer the organisation towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will also contribute to stimulating the local EV market,” Eskom said.
The other sites are
- Brackenfell in Cape Town;
- Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg;
- Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg; and
- Marathon CNC in Mbombela.
These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040, it said.
“We continue to focus on 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.
“By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for electric vehicles, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also stimulating the local economy and creating new opportunities for growth,” said Gabriel Kgabo, General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution.
Eskom said the initiative highlights its support for the government’s efforts to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market.
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