Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has inaugurated its first electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng. This strategic initiative signals a significant stride in Eskom’s commitment to fostering the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa, while simultaneously contributing to the nation’s broader objectives of carbon emissions reduction.
The newly launched pilot project encompasses the acquisition of 20 electric vehicles, including a range of light delivery vehicles and light trucks, designated for operational use. Complementing this fleet, Eskom has installed 10 charging stations across five key sites nationwide. These installations feature a combination of Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers, delivering 60kW, and Dual Alternating Current (AC) Chargers, providing 22kW—optimised for both overnight fleet charging and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
The five strategically selected sites include Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg, Marathon CNC in Mbombela, and the flagship location at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand. These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040, with a view towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“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,” the utility stated.
Eskom has partnered with Gridcars, a leading South African EV infrastructure company, to implement the charging stations. The dual approach of deploying both fast and alternating current chargers ensures the infrastructure caters to the varied needs of fleet operations and workplace convenience.
Gabriel Kgabo, General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, commented, “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.”
Eskom’s eMobility initiative also underscores its alignment with the South African government’s ambition to integrate the country into the global EV ecosystem. As the adoption of electric vehicles gains momentum worldwide, Eskom’s forward-thinking strategy positions South Africa to partake in the benefits of this burgeoning industry, including the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels and the stimulation of new economic sectors.
