AUTOFORUM - Informed and innovative

Transport Budget Requires More Focus and Urgency To Fast-Track EV Infrastructure

Jul 03, 2025 2025 Transport Budget Vote, Minister Barbara Creecy, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE), Joubert Roux,


Transport Budget Requires More Focus and Urgency To Fast-Track EV Infrastructure 

 

Following the 2025 Transport Budget Vote delivered by Minister Barbara Creecy, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) welcomes the strategic and continued focus on building a resilient transport system, however, we note with concern that concrete plans and timelines for electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure are conspicuously absent.

 

Key focus areas in the speech were around rail revival & logistics reform, aviation infrastructure enhancement, road safety & maintenance, public‑private partnerships in freight logistics, as well as the stabilisation of state‑owned entities. While these plans are intentioned to be positive, it lacks future planning for a reality which is happening rapidly around the world – the migration to EVs and the urgency around developing EV infrastructure. 

 

Around the world—and increasingly across Africa—governments are accelerating support for electric mobility as a practical, scalable path toward net-zero transport. From Kenya and Ethiopia to Morocco and Rwanda, EV policies and infrastructure are already reshaping the transport landscape. South Africa must not allow itself to fall behind.

 

Zero Carbon Charge is proud to be leading the charge in this space, currently rolling out South Africa’s first national network of 120 dedicated, off-grid, ultra-fast EV charging stations—powered by solar PV and battery storage. This infrastructure is shovel-ready, an example of a private sector initiative, capable of enabling long-distance electric vehicle travel, without placing any strain on the national grid.

 

Despite multiple attempts to engage, as well as invitations to visit our operational flagship site in Wolmaransstad—the first ultra-fast, off-grid EV charging station in the country—we have regrettably not received any response from the Department of Transport or the Minister. We believe now is the time to open meaningful collaboration between government and the private sector to scale up this green infrastructure model for the benefit of all South Africans.

 

“There is strong alignment between what government says it wants to achieve, and what we have already built and are ready to scale. Our technology, model, and business case are designed around South Africa’s unique energy and mobility needs,” says Joubert Roux, Founder of CHARGE. 

 

By using proven renewable technology, avoiding reliance on grid-tied electricity, and offering an entirely green mobility solution, CHARGE has demonstrated that decarbonising transport can be fast, inclusive, and privately led. We believe EV infrastructure is not only essential for climate targets, but also for safeguarding South Africa’s vital automotive export market, which will increasingly depend on EV production and adoption.

 

We ask that the Department of Transport formally engages with Zero Carbon Charge and other innovators in this space to remove bottlenecks, align regulatory pathways, and jointly build a credible, future-ready transport system that benefits all South Africans.
Back