Image: Zero Carbon ChargeZero Carbon Charge’s (CHARGE) operate entirely off-grid using solar generation, battery storage and ultra-fast charging technology. The company commissioned the two sites last week and described the rollout as a milestone for electric mobility in South Africa. “This will now allow any EV or electric truck driver to travel long-distance, showing that electric mobility in South Africa is no longer theoretical – it is operational,” the company said in a LinkedIn post.CHARGE added that more than 25 electric vehicles and electric trucks charged at the new stations over two days during the launch phase. The sites delivered more than 1 MWh of solar-powered energy, exceeding the company’s initial projections.“This demonstrates that renewable-powered infrastructure can support both passenger EVs and commercial electric freight at scale,” CHARGE stated.The N3 is one of the country’s busiest passenger and freight routes. The company plans to expand beyond the N3 corridor and has identified the N1 route as the next target for deployment. CHARGE aims to install 60 charging stations nationwide by the end of 2027 as part of a broader network strategy supporting passenger EVs and commercial electric transport.The rollout comes as South Africa seeks to expand EV charging infrastructure despite ongoing challenges linked to grid reliability and energy security. Thanks to its chargers, EVs can replenish their batteries without relying on the national electricity grid.Speaking to the news agency Reuters, CHARGE co-founder and chair Joubert Roux also highlighted the long-term role of corridor charging infrastructure in reducing transport costs and dependence on fossil fuels. “By building off-grid EV charging infrastructure along key transport corridors like the N3, we are reducing dependence on volatile fuel prices while creating greater energy and transport cost stability over the long term,” Roux said.linkedin.com, reuters.com
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