Eskom launched an electric vehicle (EV charging station at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL in Midrand, Gauteng on Thursday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Cape Town successfully pilots electric vehicles for traffic services fleet
The pilot project included the procurement of 20 electric vehicles ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use and the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.
These sites include:
- Brackenfell (Cape Town)
- Mkondeni (Pietermaritzburg)
- Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) (Rustenburg)
- Marathon CNC (Mbombela)
As per a company statement, these sites will serve as ‘the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 20240’.
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‘We continue to focus our long-term strategy to deliver a competitive, sustainable and future-proof Eskom to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa,’ said Gabriel Kgabo, Eskom’s general manager in the office of group executive for distribution.
‘By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for electric vehicles, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also stimulating the local economy and creating new opportunities for growth.’
Kgabo underscored the power utility’s support for the government to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market with initiatives such as the EV White Paper, released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) in December 2023, and the incentives announced by the National Treasury to encourage the local production of EVs from 2026.
The newly installed charging stations, implemented in partnership with Gridcars, are state-of-the-art direct current (DC) fast chargers (60kW) and dual alternating current (AC) chargers (22kW).
These are optimally sized to cater for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
According to the company, the initiative serves as a ‘blueprint for the future rollout of electric vehicles across Eskom’s entire fleet’, and is one of the company’s measures to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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Also read:
Cape Town exploring a fleet of electric buses and city vehicles
Picture: Eskom Hld SOC Ltd / Facebook