South African electric vehicle infrastructure company CHARGE has launched the first off grid solar powered charging stations along the busy Johannesburg to Durban transport corridor, marking a major step in the country’s growing electric mobility transition. According to Reuters, the rollout is designed to support rising electric vehicle adoption while reducing dependence on South Africa’s strained national power grid.
The newly launched stations are positioned along the N3 highway, one of the country’s most important freight and passenger transport routes linking Johannesburg and Durban.
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The project comes as South Africa continues facing electricity reliability challenges tied to aging infrastructure, transmission bottlenecks, and recurring power supply disruptions managed by state utility Eskom.
Reuters reported that the charging stations are designed to operate completely off grid using solar energy, allowing electric vehicle charging infrastructure to expand without placing additional pressure on the national electricity network.
The launch reflects growing momentum within South Africa’s electric vehicle market. Data from AutoTrader reportedly showed a 45 percent increase in EV related searches between February and March 2026, while user engagement around electric vehicles rose by more than 200 percent.
Industry body Naamsa also reported that new energy vehicle sales increased by 7.1 percent in 2025, following much stronger growth recorded the previous year. Although electric vehicles still represent a relatively small portion of total vehicle sales in South Africa, interest in the sector continues growing steadily.
CHARGE co founder and chair Joubert Roux said the off grid strategy is intended to reduce long term dependence on volatile fuel prices while improving transport and energy stability.
The company plans to significantly expand the network by targeting 60 charging stations across South Africa by the end of next year, with future plans also including charging hubs for commercial trucks and freight transportation.
What This Means For Africa
This highlights how Africa’s transition toward electric mobility is increasingly becoming tied to broader conversations around energy security, infrastructure modernization, and long term transport sustainability.
One of the biggest challenges facing electric vehicle adoption across many African countries has been unreliable electricity supply and limited charging infrastructure. South Africa’s off grid approach demonstrates how renewable energy solutions may help overcome some of those barriers without placing additional strain on already pressured national grids.
The development also reflects a wider shift happening globally as transportation systems gradually move toward cleaner energy technologies and lower carbon emissions. African countries are increasingly beginning to participate in that transition, particularly in urban mobility, logistics, and commercial transportation.
At the same time, the strategy shows how renewable energy infrastructure and transport technology are becoming more interconnected. Solar powered charging stations may provide an alternative model for countries where grid instability remains a major obstacle to electric vehicle growth.
The expansion of EV infrastructure could also create new opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy, battery technology, manufacturing, logistics, software systems, and transport services within African economies.
However, the transition remains at an early stage. Electric vehicles still represent a small share of total automobile sales across most African markets due to affordability challenges, infrastructure gaps, financing limitations, and dependence on imported vehicle technology.
As fuel price volatility and climate related policy pressures continue influencing global transport systems, African countries may increasingly explore hybrid infrastructure models that combine renewable energy with mobility innovation to support future economic and industrial growth.
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Image Credit: Empower Africa
