The primary goal of this project is to build the capacity of City officials in order to be EV ready. EV-readiness requires a deep understanding of the technical abilities of the City to plan for an EV future in terms of the provision of infrastructure and the setting of fair yet attractive tariffs. Therefore, planning for EV uptake within the city requires careful consideration of the technical components of the grid and the business of selling electricity. It also requires to City to determine the applicability of EV for different vehicles and end-uses.

While electric mobility is still in its infancy in South Africa, a global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is underway, with most automobile manufacturers including EVs in their planning on future production and sales, and some countries and cities (including markets for South African vehicle exports) declaring bans on conventional fossil fuel vehicles within the next decade. In South Africa, EVs could contribute towards a sizeable greenhouse gas emission reduction in the transport sector, as road transport is responsible for over 90% of all transport emissions. A thriving EV market, supported by local manufacturing, holds the promise of economic growth and job-creation, counteracting the inevitable decline in demand for internal combustion engine vehicles globally.

The primary goal of this project is to build the capacity of City of Johannesburg officials to be EV ready. EV-readiness requires a deep understanding of the technical abilities of the City to plan for an EV future in terms of the provision of infrastructure and the setting of fair yet attractive tariffs. Therefore, planning for EV uptake within the city requires careful consideration of the technical components of the grid and the business of selling electricity. It also requires the City to determine the applicability of EVs for different vehicles and end-uses.

This project has a particular focus on assessing the feasibility of electric minibus taxis (e-taxis) and solar-powered EV charging stations. With an emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion, the project seeks to make the case for EV-related business models that the City can support.

In addition to this being a highly technical, new, and rapidly-evolving space, planning requires bringing together several departments to work together. Therefore, the project team will work with the key stakeholders to ensure that all parties have a common vision and are equipped with the fundamental knowledge required to have productive planning discussions and understand the trade-offs and constraints each group faces.

Donor: UK PACT
Timeline: January - December 2021
Project Manager: Zanie Cilliers