SA OUTLOOK
INFRASTRUCTURE
Industry experts and entrepreneurs discuss challenges and opportunities in the e-mobility sector The E-Mobility Congress South Africa in partnership with AutoTrader, GridCars and Katiah Automotive hosted a two-day annual conference which brings together industry leaders, experts and specialists to discuss and share valuable information about industry innovations and initiatives.
Speaking in the conference, Josh Dippenaar, energy advisor for sustainable energy Africa said electric vehicles are not an issue but lack of collaboration in managing them. “We need collaborative measures to allow motorists to charge their vehicles without impacting on the grid,” said Dippenaar. When an electric vehicle is charging on a constraint network it can overwhelm the network and damage the infrastructure. Municipalities and industries need to work together in developing a smart charging plan, this includes monitoring the grid integrity risk and development of adequate infrastructure. Motorists will need to incentivise at work or public areas to reduce the load on constraint networks.”
The congress aims to start the conversation
GridCars director, Winstone Jordaan echoed
about job creation within the sector, skills develop-
Dippenaar and said, “charging environment is
ment, and entrepreneurial initiatives that set out
technology re-evolution. We need to make these
the path for electric vehicles’ future in the country.
changes to start creating a cleaner and efficient
In the two days, from 01 to 02 March, engag-
future for everyone.”
ing discussions took place on topics ranging from
Meanwhile, other speakers touched on the
transition of fleets from fossil to solar energy, add-
urgent need for local manufacturing of electric ve-
ing electric vehicles on South Africa’s electricity
hicles to meet the European emission standards.
grid, developing adequate charging infrastructure,
South Africa currently exports more than 60%
creating job opportunities in the e-mobility indus-
vehicles to Europe, however by 2030 this market
try, local manufacturing of electric vehicles and
would no longer allow importation of internal
South Africa’s policy responses to eco-mobility.
combustion engine vehicles.
The discussions unpacked the challenges and
“While South Africa has enjoyed strong growth
opportunities of electric vehicles in the country
in the automotive industry largely due to export,
and continent at large.
we risk losing a significant portion of this if we
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