Eskom electric car chargers launched

Eskom Distribution has launched electric car charging stations in collaboration with GridCars, unveiling the infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand, Gauteng.

The pilot project involves the installation of ten charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.

Other sites are Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg, and Marathon CNC in Mbombela.

These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040.

In addition to the charging network, the pilot includes procuring twenty electric vehicles (EVs), ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks, for operational use.

Eskom said the charging stations are state-of-the-art Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers (60kW) and Dual Alternating Current (AC) Chargers (22kW), optimally sized to cater for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.

The initiative will serve as a blueprint for the future rollout of electric vehicles across Eskom’s entire fleet, it said.

Eskom added that this was one of the levers that will steer the organisation towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will also contribute to stimulating the local EV market.

“We continue to focus on 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, general manager in the office of the group executive.

“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 stated.

Kgabo also highlighted Eskom’s support of the government to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market.

Key initiatives include the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition in December 2023 and the incentives announced by National Treasury to encourage the local production of EVs from 2026.

The launch follows the state-owned power utility signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Golden Arrow Bus Services earlier this month.

The memorandum set out terms for ongoing engagement relating to introducing electric vehicles into the South African market.

It also sets out terms for Golden Arrow’s planned introduction of electric buses into the public transport sector.

Golden Arrow Bus Services CEO Francois Meyer says introducing electric buses will require various partnerships across the value chain.

“Introducing electric buses at scale requires partnerships between large electricity generators, distributors and users — this MOC will enable us to work together to provide a public bus service which is safe, reliable and cost effective,” he said.

Golden Arrow’s planned fleet of electric buses will use electricity generated by Eskom, and the company will also seek to procure renewable energy from the private sector.

“In this regard, Eskom will also play a critical role as the distributor for potential future wheeling agreements,” said Golden Arrow.

The MOC includes the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Golden Arrow aims to replace 10% of its fleet with electric buses by the end of 2025

“The data which we are generating is the first of its kind in South Africa,” it said.

“Sharing this data will empower others to make informed decisions and help determine the future of electric mobility within the public transport space.”

“Ultimately, the MOC will not only be beneficial to Eskom and Golden Arrow but to the South African public,” it added.

Golden Arrow’s MOC with Eskom came after Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD announced a deal with the public transport company to supply it with 120 electric buses by the end of 2025.

The fleet is scheduled to be delivered starting from December this year.

The 12.5-meter-long B12 buses have 65 seats each, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and BYD’s six-in-one controller.

The controller consists of two electric motor control units, one steering control unit, one air compressor controller, one DC-DC controller, and one power distribution unit.

Rigorous testing of the new buses began in 2020, with a 37-seater BYD K9 bus. Golden Arrow then introduced two electric buses into service in 2021.

Testing was then expanded to include the 65-seater buses in January 2023.

Golden Arrow said that electricity costs are expected to be 70% less than diesel.