South Africa’s electric vehicle landscape is still in its infancy, with fewer than 400 public charging points nationwide – a stark contrast to the zero stations that existed just fifteen years ago. Yet a home‑grown venture called Charge is laying out an ambitious R1.8‑billion blueprint that could reshape how drivers power their EVs across the country. By proposing a station every 150km along the national highway network, the company aims to fill the gaps that have kept adoption sluggish, especially in rural corridors where grid access is unreliable.
The vision hinges on an off‑grid EV charging model, where each site generates its own renewable power rather than leaning on Eskom’s coal‑heavy supply. Chairman Joubert Roux explained that this approach not only sidesteps load‑shedding worries but also dramatically cuts the carbon footprint of charging. He pointed out that an EV drawing electricity from the current grid emits roughly 5.8 tonnes of CO₂ annually, whereas the same vehicle running on petrol would produce about 4.4 tonnes – a counter‑intuitive figure that underscores the urgency of cleaner energy sources.
Why off‑grid EV charging could unlock South Africa’s electric future
Roux traced the journey from the pilot launch near Wolmaransstad in December 2024 to the broader rollout plan, noting that each station only needs to serve seven vehicles a day to reach EBITDA break‑even. That modest threshold makes the economics attractive for investors wary of high‑risk infrastructure plays. The company’s funding route is equally unconventional: a tokenised public offering on the Mesh platform slated for June 2026, designed to democratise access to a sector that has traditionally demanded R1‑million minimums from institutional backers.
Already, the Development Bank of Southern Africa has pledged R100‑million toward the initiative, signalling confidence in the long‑term viability of renewable‑powered chargers. To sweeten the deal for local communities, landowners who host a Charge station will receive 5 % of the revenue generated at that site, a model Roux believes will stimulate rural economic development while securing essential real estate.
On the commercial front, Charge has struck an offtake agreement with transport aggregator Zimi, which will take up 50 % of the capacity at upcoming N3 corridor stations. This partnership guarantees a baseline utilisation level, reducing the risk of underused assets during the early phases of the network build‑out.
Regulatory headwinds, however, remain a concern. Charge has formally objected to a proposed Sanral policy that would grant the roads authority oversight over businesses within 60 m of national highways or 500 m of interchanges. Roux argues that such overreach could stifle innovation and deter private investment in EV infrastructure at a time when the sector needs room to maneuver.
The competitive landscape is also shifting. BYD’s imminent rollout of a 1 MW supercharger network and the established presence of operators like GridCars – which already logs roughly 5 000 charge sessions each month – are pushing Charge to differentiate through its off‑grid, community‑focused approach. Additionally, the firm is scouting locations for 35 MW truck‑charging facilities, anticipating demand from freight operators looking to decarbonise long‑haul routes.
Looking ahead, Charge envisions a footprint of 120 stations stretching from the Limpopo border to the Western Cape, a density that would finally give motorists confidence to embark on cross‑country trips without range anxiety. Roux believes South Africa will hit its EV tipping point once two ingredients align: affordable electric cars priced below R500 000 and a genuinely reliable, nationwide charging network that drivers can trust regardless of load‑shedding schedules.
As we continue to monitor the evolution of clean transport in South Africa, it’s clear that ventures like Charge are not just betting on technology – they’re investing in the social and economic fabric of the nation. If the off‑grid model delivers on its promise, the roads ahead could become significantly greener, quieter, and more inclusive for every South African who chooses to plug in.