Eskom Launches Pilot EV Charging Stations in South Africa

Eskom has launched its pilot Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng, marking a significant milestone in the utility's efforts to support the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa. The project is a part of Eskom Distribution's broader strategy to electrify its vehicle fleet by 2040, contributing to the country's goals of reducing carbon emissions.

The pilot includes the installation of 10 charging stations at five sites across the country, including Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg, and Marathon CNC in Mbombela. The charging stations feature state-of-the-art Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers (60kW) and Dual Alternating Current (AC) Chargers (22kW), catering to both fleet and workplace charging needs.

Gabriel Kgabo, General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, emphasized the project's role in Eskom's long-term strategy to ensure energy security and sustainability. He also highlighted the alignment with national initiatives, such as the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the incentives from National Treasury to boost local EV production starting in 2026.

This pilot project serves as a foundation for Eskom's future electrification plans and aims to stimulate the local EV market, steering the organization towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Source: eskom.co.za