South Africa’s off-grid, solar-powered electric vehicle charging footprint is projected to expand to nearly 100 locations over the next two years, accelerating as private investment pours into new-energy vehicle infrastructure across the continent’s most industrialized economy.
The country already hosts one of Africa’s largest public charging networks, with more than 600 public charging points concentrated across key metropolitan centers. However, sustaining adoption will hinge on scaling fast-charging capacity along long-distance transit corridors, modernizing the national grid, and expanding home, workplace, and rural charging infrastructure.
While new-energy vehicles represented under 3% of South Africa’s total new-vehicle sales in 2025, adoption is gaining momentum. A wider range of available models, increased participation from Chinese automakers, falling battery costs, and targeted policy frameworks are powering the shift.
“South Africa leads most African markets in EV readiness, charging coverage, and vehicle variety,” said Dr. Andrew de Vries, director of the uYilo National Electric Mobility Programme at Nelson Mandela University. “Emerging technologies, such as smart charging, connected mobility, telematics, AI, and vehicle-to-grid systems, are expected to mold the sector, improving efficiency, fleet management, and grid integration.”
Despite rapid growth sales of new-energy vehicles have jumped 30-fold since 2020 adoption remains off a small base, accounting for less than 1% of total vehicles on the road with approximately 5,000 units active. Hybrid models continue to dominate market share, reflecting persistent electricity supply constraints and thin charging coverage outside urban centers.
Significant headwinds persist, including high initial vehicle purchase prices, power grid instability, skills shortages, and heavy reliance on imported components. Accelerating the transition will require broader policy alignment, direct consumer incentives, and lower import tariffs on clean-energy vehicles.
Longer term, the shift to electric mobility is expected to reshape South Africa’s industrial base, driving higher-value manufacturing across battery technology, electronics, energy storage, and secondary battery applications.
“South Africa can strengthen its position by leveraging its mining base, automotive assembly sector, engineering skills, and research capability,” de Vries added. “Developing the battery value chain and increasing local component manufacturing are key opportunities, alongside workforce development.”