Plug-in hybrids are the hottest thing in South Africa right now in terms of sales growth. Sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were up 280% in 2025 compared with sales figures from 2024. naamsa’s quarterly review of business conditions for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry during the first quarter … [continued]
Aerial view of one of Zero Carbon Charge’s off-grid charging stations in South Africa. Image courtesy of Zero Carbon Charge.
South Africa’s electric vehicle market has reached a pivotal moment, with commercial fleets proving substantial economic advantages and consumer interest surging, according to industry leaders speaking at a webinar hosted by energy analyst Chris Yelland. Industry leaders recently participated in a webinar titled “State of the Electric Vehicle Industry in … [continued]
When Ethiopia banned the import of conventional cars two years ago, many were skeptical. But the policy has been highly successful.
The unintended consequence of South Africa’s fuel crunch may be doing what the prevailing local environment that lacks supportive policy and incentives has long struggled to achieve: pushing more motorists to consider electric vehicles over diesel. In the absence of incentives for battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and in a year which … [continued]
The attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, which started on 28 February 2026, upended key supply chains, driving oil prices above US$100 a barrel. The spike followed Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US and Israeli action. About 20% of the world’s oil … [continued]
Chatgpt generated illustration showing how transmission buffering batteries store excess solar generation and release it later through the same transmission line.
Buffering batteries placed near transmission constraints are rarely listed among grid enhancing technologies. The usual list includes advanced conductors, dynamic line rating, and power flow control devices. All of those technologies increase the instantaneous capacity of transmission lines. Batteries do not do that. A battery cannot turn a 500 MW … [continued]
Tesla recently announced that the company’s vehicles will now be available in an African country for the first time ever. Starting in the middle of this year, the Model 3 and Y will be available in Morocco. Morocco was always going to be the first one, given its proximity to … [continued]
Charging infrastructure has been growing nicely in South Africa. According to Rubicon’s annual report for 2025, by mid-2025, there were over 500 public stations operational in South Africa from all the various charge point operators. This growth helped maintain a favorable EV-to-charger ratio of 1:7, better than the global 1:10 … [continued]
Chinese auto giant Chery has been ramping up its presence in South Africa over the last couple of years. Chinese vehicles in general are gaining traction in South Africa’s overall new vehicles sales market with Chery Group, when we include sales from Jetour, Jaecoo, and Omoda, as well as Chery … [continued]
Charge's solar-powered charging station in Wolmaransstad, South Africa. Images courtesy of Ryan Jarret.
Ahead of the South Africa 2026 Budget Speech on Wednesday, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has called on the South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to align import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) with those applied to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, scrap the ad valorem tax on EVs, and allocate … [continued]
