South African municipalities and utilities deploy public EV charging as network reaches 145 stations
Municipalities and electricity utilities in South Africa are investing in EV charging infrastructure, with at least 145 public charging stations now verified nationwide, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. City Power has opened a 10 station, 20 connector solar hub in Johannesburg, while state utility Eskom installed 10 chargers across five sites in August 2024 and announced plans in September 2025 to roll out 55 public stations over two years. Off-grid solar charging is also emerging along routes with limited grid capacity, with Zero Carbon Charge deploying renewable-powered stations in constrained corridors.
Why it matters: The entry of municipal and utility players signals a shift from purely private rollout to public sector infrastructure investment in South Africa, potentially opening procurement opportunities for CPOs and equipment suppliers. Off-grid solar deployments address grid constraints and offer a model for charging expansion in capacity-limited regions.