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Service stations across Nairobi, Kigali, Cotonou and Johannesburg are bypassing conventional grid tied fast chargers in favour of distributed solar charging and automated battery swapping tailored to motorcycle taxis, auto rickshaws and minibuses. The shift mirrors the mobile telecoms leapfrog of two decades ago, with commercial operators driving demand because drivers on thin margins cannot afford thirty minute dwell times. Energy dispensed on Rubicon's charging network in South Africa rose 142 percent in 2025 to 625 MWh.

Why it matters: Procurement teams targeting African markets must design for commercial light vehicle fleets and off grid solar swap infrastructure rather than replicating Western passenger car DC fast charging models. The 625 MWh figure from one South African network signals rapid commercial uptake and a fundamentally different capex and site design brief.

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.

Cork provider Ohme is running a six month domestic flexibility trial with ESB Networks in Ireland, offering drivers up to €78 to plug in at home whenever parked. The EV Flex scheme uses Ohme hardware and software to charge vehicles when grid electricity is abundant and demand is low. Ohme previously ran a similar UK Crowdflex trial that paid participants a collective £400,000 over seven months.

Why it matters: Demand side flexibility trials demonstrate a revenue model for charge point operators and network operators to manage grid stress while incentivising off peak charging. Proven customer engagement in these schemes can inform procurement specifications for smart charging infrastructure and tariff design in both markets.

ESB, Ireland's state electricity company, has acknowledged that its public EV charging network lacks the capacity to operate all installed chargers at the same time. The admission, reported by the Irish Independent, highlights infrastructure constraints in the national network as demand for electric vehicle charging grows. ESB did not specify the scale of the capacity shortfall or provide a timeline for upgrades.

Why it matters: The disclosure signals potential reliability risks for CPOs and fleet operators relying on public infrastructure in Ireland, and may influence procurement decisions around private charging investments. It also underscores the gap between charger deployment targets and the grid capacity needed to support them at scale.

The University of Johannesburg has established the Centre for Automotive and Electric Vehicle Innovation (CAEVI) to drive practical EV implementation across South Africa. Hosted within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, CAEVI combines engineering, artificial intelligence, battery science, policy research and community development to support the shift from internal combustion engines to electric mobility. Dr Samuel Gqibani, Head of the School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Director of CAEVI, emphasised the need for locally developed solutions, skills and an affordable, inclusive mobility system.

Why it matters: A university-led centre integrating battery science, AI and policy work signals potential for South African procurement frameworks and technical standards to evolve with local research input. For CPOs and suppliers eyeing the South African market, CAEVI may shape future grid integration requirements, charging infrastructure specifications and workforce training pipelines.

GRIDSERVE has expanded its Electric Super Hub at Solstice Park in Amesbury with eight new EV charging stations in response to rising demand along the A303 route. The site is located within a 160 acre business and travel destination. RO Group, the family owned trading business that owns the site, welcomed the investment.

Why it matters: The expansion signals sustained utilisation growth on strategic UK trunk routes, offering procurement teams data on corridor charging demand and validating the business case for hub scale sites at mixed use destinations.

Cape Town will receive its first electric bus in August 2025, followed by 13 more units between October and December, as part of a 30 bus rollout scheduled for completion by June 2027. The 12 metre Volvo BZRLE buses will feature locally manufactured bodies from Johannesburg and serve MyCiTi routes in the metro south east, including Phase 2A expansion corridors. A 12 month pilot study with the University of Cape Town, funded by the municipality and the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, will assess battery durability, charging times and energy consumption to inform driver training, maintenance protocols and system integration ahead of the 2027 scale up.

Why it matters: The phased rollout offers South African bus operators and charging infrastructure providers a clear timeline for planning depot electrification and maintenance capacity, while the pilot study will generate local performance data on route conditions and climate impacts. International benchmarks cited by the city suggest operational and maintenance cost reductions of up to 70%, a figure that could shape business cases for electric bus procurement across other South African metros.

The City of Johannesburg has committed R14 million to deploy a pilot electric vehicle charging network across the metro. The initiative, reported by Moneyweb, marks a municipal investment in public charging infrastructure as South Africa's EV adoption begins to accelerate. Details on the number of chargers and deployment timeline were not disclosed in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: This pilot represents one of the first significant municipal investments in public EV charging infrastructure in South Africa, potentially opening procurement opportunities for charge point operators and equipment suppliers in the region. The R14 million budget signals growing public sector commitment to EV infrastructure, which may influence tender activity and private investment in South African metros.

Electric buses have launched on routes serving Gloucester and Tewkesbury, according to Gloucester News Centre. The deployment marks the introduction of battery electric vehicles to local public transport services in these Gloucestershire towns. No fleet size or operator details were provided in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: The rollout signals growing demand for depot charging infrastructure to support municipal bus electrification in the UK, creating opportunities for charge point operators and electrical contractors serving public transport depots.

City Power, Johannesburg's municipal utility, has opened an EV charging complex in Booysens as the first phase of a rollout supporting the city's shift from combustion engines to electric vehicles. The initiative is part of a 10 point energy plan and aims to cut fuel costs and improve operational efficiency across municipal services. The utility currently faces electricity losses of approximately 29% and has identified infrastructure protection as critical to sustaining the charging network.

Why it matters: The launch signals municipal procurement momentum for EV charging infrastructure in South Africa's largest metro, creating opportunities for suppliers and operators as the city expands its network. City Power's focus on protecting assets from theft and illegal connections will shape technical and security specifications for future tenders.

Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows UK EV drivers could save the equivalent of £200 per year compared to petrol vehicle owners, driven by falling charging costs and rising fuel prices linked to Middle East conflict. Octopus Energy will cut its overnight EV charger tariff to 5.5 pence per kWh from 1 April. The findings come amid significant charging deployment announcements from Voltempo, TotalEnergies, ESB Energy, Evolt Charging, Ionity and others across the UK.

Why it matters: Lower charging costs and widening price gaps with petrol strengthen the commercial case for workplace and destination charging investments. The tariff cuts and deployment activity signal growing confidence in UK EV infrastructure demand, relevant for CPOs planning site rollouts and procurement teams evaluating long term operating economics.

Hackney Council has switched on nine 100kW rapid chargers supplied by ESB Energy, the first phase of a programme to deploy more than 50 rapid units by 2030. Eligible residents without home charging can access discounted overnight rates (1am to 5am) and preferential daytime tariffs through the ESB Energy EV Plug In app under a new Hackney Light and Power plan. The chargers, installed in existing parking bays and powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, are designed to serve larger vehicles including delivery vans and commercial fleets.

Why it matters: The phased rollout signals sustained procurement opportunity in a London borough prioritising rapid infrastructure for residents and commercial operators. Discounted tariff structures tied to a council branded energy plan may influence how other local authorities structure concession terms and resident engagement models.