Auto Added by WPeMatico
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric heavy-duty trucks plans to pilot battery swapping stations in South Africa, starting on the freight-intensive N3 corridor between Johannesburg and Durban.
Several South African EV drivers have reported issues with GridCars chargers in 2026, some of which could not be fixed and forced them to find another station.
Few things annoy EV drivers in a hurry as much as a plug-in hybrid charging on a fast DC charger at a location that primarily serves long-distance travellers.
In the year that I have owned an electric vehicle, nearly all the electricity I needed to top up its battery was bought with FNB eBucks earned from petrol and grocery purchases.
South Africa’s president said the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition was finalising a comprehensive EV programme so that “manufacturers can come to the fore”.
Eskom’s entry into the public electric vehicle (EV) charging industry has drawn concern from private charge point operators (CPOs), alleging abuse of its position as the country’s top electricity distributor.
New local vehicle sales in 2025 and early 2026 suggest the allure of traditional or closed-loop hybrids is starting to wear off among local car buyers.
At current petrol prices, it has become substantially cheaper to use an EV for long-distance driving in South Africa, even when considering higher public charger prices.
Using EVs instead of petrol or diesel cars has long offered cost reduction and predictability benefits for business fleets. The latest fuel price crisis is really bring that message home.
The journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch took 18 days and saw the team pass through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana.