Eskom has kicked off its electric vehicle (EV) roll-out, acquiring 20 electric vehicles, including light delivery vehicles and light trucks, as part of a long-term initiative to electrify its entire fleet. The utility announced on Wednesday that these vehicles will primarily serve its distribution and generation divisions, with plans to purchase an additional 100 EVs in the near future.
This initiative follows the installation of 10 charging stations at five locations in August 2024, designed to support the increasing adoption of electric transportation. The distribution division, which boasts the largest vehicle footprint within Eskom, aims for complete electrification by 2035.
The newly installed charging stations feature direct current (DC) fast chargers capable of delivering up to 60 kW, along with 22 kW dual alternating current (AC) chargers. Eskom noted that the AC chargers are more suitable for daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors, as well as for overnight charging of fleet vehicles.
“Eskom is taking steps to transform how South Africans move in a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality,” the utility stated. Agnes Mlambo, acting group executive for distribution, emphasized that the launch of these vehicles is about more than just mobility; it represents a reimagining of the energy landscape, a reduction in carbon emissions, and a commitment to ensuring that every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport.
Eskom is also prioritizing the readiness of its grid for electric mobility, developing smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs to optimize energy consumption, making EV ownership more affordable and sustainable. The utility plans to roll out 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years to promote broader adoption of electric vehicles across South Africa.