Leading up to tonight’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), there have once again been calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to act decisively on South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) transition.
Zero Carbon Charge (Charge) warned that the South African government’s continued inaction is undermining investment in the industry, leading to poorer energy security and slow economic growth.
The company, which built its first Eskom-proof electric vehicle charging station in Wolmaransstad, has been expanding its network of chargers across the country and is currently working on electrifying the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.
During its operations, Charge has repeatedly written to President Ramaphosa, as well as Trade Minister Parks Tau, seeking leadership, coordination, and support.
“The silence has been telling. It reflects a broader failure to treat the EV and energy transition as a national priority rather than a future talking point,” Charge said.
Following more than three years of direct engagement, Charge claims the government has failed to make any considerable progress on renewable-powered charging infrastructure or to provide practical steps toward an EV future.
This lack of policy and decisive action threatens South Africa’s ability to compete in the electrifying global automotive market.
Charge believes South Africa cannot claim to support EV adoption while ignoring the infrastructure required to sustain it.
It said that grid-connected chargers are not a long-term solution in a country facing electricity shortages, highlighting that grid-tied charging transfers pressure onto an already failing system.
The only solution to this is a charging infrastructure that generates and stores its own power, independent of the grid.
“Charge is calling for immediate, practical action, including lower EV import tariffs to stimulate market adoption, the removal of red tape blocking EV and renewable infrastructure,” commented co-founder of Charge, Joubert Roux.
“The reintroduction and extension of the S12BA tax incentive to include EV charging equipment, targeted funding for EV and energy skills development, and accountability for state entities that quietly obstruct the transition.”
Government in the way
Charge said it was able to establish its first off-grid EV charging station despite the absence of government support.
It is now working towards two additional stations along the N3 corridor to open in May this year.
The company announced the development of 120 fully off-grid, solar-powered charging stations across South Africa, which will be the first national network of its kind in Africa.
This development will have a direct impact on the country’s infrastructure, as well as benefiting landowners, supporting education, and job creation in rural and peri-urban areas.
Charge said that instead of supporting this by enabling private investment, several government departments have instead acted as obstacles.
“The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has delayed regulatory feedback for more than 1,000 days and attempted to apply fuel-station tariffs to renewable-energy microgrids under the guise of ‘sweating assets’,” Charge explained.
It said this approach “fundamentally misclassifies clean-energy infrastructure”, indicating a lack of support to potential investors.
Charge notified Transport Minister Barbara Creecy of these delays, who then failed to intervene.
“The lack of leadership extends beyond transport,” said Charge.
“There has been no meaningful engagement from the Ministers responsible for Public Works and Infrastructure, Electricity, Agriculture, or Environmental Affairs.”
Each of these departments stands to benefit directly from renewable EV infrastructure as a result of energy security, rural development, emissions reduction, and climate resilience.
Charge explained that the only Cabinet-level support it has received so far came from Deputy Minister of Electricity Samantha Graham-Mare.
“South Africa cannot continue to invite private investment while simultaneously obstructing the infrastructure required to grow the economy,” said Roux.
“If government is serious about industrialisation, energy security, and climate commitments, the EV transition cannot remain an afterthought in another SONA speech.”
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