Eskom Rolls Out First Electric Vehicle Fleet, Expands Charging Infrastructure in South Africa
Eskom Holdings has officially launched its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), marking a major milestone in the state-owned utility’s push to promote sustainable transport and accelerate South Africa’s energy transition.
The rollout forms part of Eskom’s broader e-mobility strategy, which focuses on reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and showcasing the practicality of electric transport in real-world applications.
This initiative builds on Eskom’s August 2024 achievement, when the utility installed 10 EV charging stations across five sites to support South Africa’s growing electric mobility ecosystem.
Agnes Mlambo, Acting Group Executive for Distribution, said the company’s goal is to fully electrify its operational fleet by 2035.
“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 launch of these vehicles is not only about mobility—it is about reimagining the energy landscape, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport,” Mlambo said.
The new EVs will be deployed within Eskom’s Distribution and Generation Divisions to support daily operations while also serving as a live demonstration of the benefits of electric mobility.
To enable wider adoption, Eskom plans to expand its charging infrastructure significantly, with a target of 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years.
The company is also integrating EV load forecasting into its long-term energy planning to ensure the national grid can accommodate rising demand.
Smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs will be introduced to optimize electricity consumption, making EV ownership more affordable and sustainable for South Africans.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane described the initiative as “transformative,” highlighting its potential to cut emissions, spur innovation, and deliver tangible benefits to both communities and the economy.
In parallel with its EV strategy, Eskom is advancing its renewable energy ambitions. In April, the utility issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to establish a standalone renewable energy subsidiary.
The new entity will operate independently, offering greater governance flexibility, improved market positioning, and stronger Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Eskom is seeking partners with expertise in renewable energy ventures, Independent Power Producer (IPP) models, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and financial structuring.
The utility aims to shift from its predominantly coal-based generation fleet to cleaner energy sources by 2040. Its target is to increase renewable capacity from less than 1 GW today to 32 GW, while reducing coal capacity from 39 GW to 18 GW.
Through its combined e-mobility program and renewable energy expansion, Eskom is positioning itself as a central driver of South Africa’s clean energy transition.
The strategy is expected to reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen the country’s role as one of Africa’s leaders in sustainable infrastructure.
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