Eastern Cape to set up charging stations for electric vehicles
The Eastern Cape government plans to install 13 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the province, operational by May.
This was announced by premier Oscar Mabuyane during his state of the province address in East London yesterday.
Mabuyane said the charging stations would be in Komani, Makhanda, Mthatha, Khowa, Maletswai, East London, Qonce, Willowmore, Storms River and Cookhouse.
“The vehicle charging stations will be online by May and this will ensure that motorists who drive EVs will be able to charge their vehicles in our province,” he said.
Finance, economic development, environmental affairs and tourism spokesperson Phumelele Godongwana said more details would be provided during the provincial budget policy speech of the economic development department.
On Wednesday, the national government threw its weight behind the transition to EVs, signalling a pivotal moment in automotive production in SA.
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced a series of incentives aimed at spurring new investments by automotive manufacturers, thereby accelerating the shift towards electric vehicle production.
The long-awaited shot in the arm could make EV producers eligible to claim 150% of qualifying investment spending on production capacity for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles within their first year, starting in March 2026.
Godongwana made the announcement while tabling his 2024/2025 budget speech.
According to the National Treasury’s Budget Review, the tax expenditure emanating from this incentive is estimated to be R500m for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The automotive sector has long warned the government about the impact of swift regulatory shifts in its European and North American markets, highlighting the unsustainable nature of its current business model.
Naamsa chief executive Mikel Mabasa welcomed Godongwana’s announcement.
“Recognising the global shift towards sustainable mobility solutions, we welcome government’s forward-looking strategy to promote the production of EVs in SA,” Mabasa said.