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Zimi and CHARGE Holdings partner to electrify freight along N3 corridor

Mar 18, 2026 Zimi, Michael Maas, CHARGE Holdings, Andries Malherbe, partner. electrify freight, N3 corridor


Zimi and CHARGE Holdings partner to electrify freight along N3 corridor

 

Zimi and Zero Carbon Holdings (CHARGE Holdings) are proud to announce a three-year agreement to support the rollout of electric freight operations along South Africa’s N3 corridor. The partnership aims to accelerate EV logistics along one of South Africa’s most critical transport routes.

 

Zimi acts as a logistics aggregator, working with commercial fleet operators to deploy electric vehicles on fixed routes while securing reliable charging access. By bundling vehicles, energy, and software in one unified lease, Zimi removes the complexity of electrification for last-mile and long-haul operators alike. Zimi empowers fleets to hit sustainability targets while capturing significant cost-per-kilometre savings. 

 

CHARGE Holdings operates Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) and Zero Carbon Logistics (CHARGE Logistics). The partnership comes as CHARGE prepares to launch two new off-grid, solar-powered EV charging stations along the N3 freight route between Johannesburg and Durban in May 2026 – CHARGE N3 Tugela in KwaZulu-Natal and CHARGE N3 Roadside in the Free State. These stations will support Zimi’s rollout of electric delivery fleets along the corridor. 

 

Under the agreement, Zimi-operated vehicles will have reserved charging capacity of up to 500 kWh per station per day, ensuring reliable energy access for electric delivery fleets. Each site will support peak charging of over 300 kW with six fast-charging connectors capable of delivering up to 600 A. By generating power directly at the charging site, the model aims to protect fleet operators from rising electricity tariffs and volatile fuel prices while enabling more predictable operating costs. The N3 rollout forms part of CHARGE’s broader national deployment strategy. Zimi and CHARGE holdings will continue collaborating as the infrastructure expands.

 

Michael Maas, Zimi CEO said the partnership represents an important step toward scaling electric logistics in South Africa. “Reliable, always-on charging infrastructure is essential for fleet electrification. Working with CHARGE holdings allows us to deploy electric delivery vehicles on one of the country’s busiest freight routes while ensuring predictable charging access and operational uptime.”

 

Andries Malherbe, co-founder and Director of CHARGE Holdings, said the collaboration demonstrates how renewable charging infrastructure can support long-distance electric freight. “This is true electrification of long-distance logistics. By partnering with Zimi, we are demonstrating how off-grid renewable charging infrastructure can support reliable, long-distance logistics while strengthening South Africa’s energy resilience. By working with Zimi’s logistics partners, we can ensure that our infrastructure is supported by consistent commercial demand from fleet operators, alongside the growing passenger EV market. This strengthens the long-term viability of the charging network while helping accelerate the shift to cleaner transport along one of the country’s most important trade corridors,” Malherbe added.
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