South Africa’s Eskom Holdings, has officially launched its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), marking a milestone in the state-owned utility’s efforts to promote sustainable transport and advance South Africa’s transition.
The launch highlights the company’s broader e-mobility strategy, aimed at reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and demonstrating the practicality of electric transport in real-world applications.
The initiative builds on Eskom’s August 2024 achievement, when it installed 10 EV charging stations across five sites to support the growing adoption of electric mobility.
Agnes Mlambo, acting Group Executive for Distribution, said the rollout is part of Eskom’s broader vision to fully electrify its 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,” the statement said.
South Africa ranks among Africa’s leading adopters of EV infrastructure, with more than 15,000 units already on its roads.
Since 2021, Eskom has engaged with government, automotive manufacturers, petroleum companies, and research institutions to build a strong and integrated e-mobility framework for South Africa, Mlambo said.
EV project powers efficiency and cleaner energy
Accordingly, the EVs will be deployed mainly within the Distribution and Generation Divisions, supporting day-to-day operational tasks while also acting as a live demonstration of the benefits of electric mobility.
The initiative is about reimagining the energy landscape, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring that every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport.
The company also plans to expand its charging infrastructure and establish 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years to support broader adoption among the general public.
Eskom is integrating EV load forecasting into its long-term energy planning to ensure the grid can accommodate increased electricity demand.
Smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs will be rolled out to optimize energy consumption and make EV ownership more sustainable and affordable.
Dan Marokane, Eskom Group Chief Executive, described the initiative as transformative, emphasizing its potential to cut emissions, foster innovation, and deliver tangible benefits to both communities and the economy.
Eskom’s renewable energy drive
In a related development, Eskom issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) in April to establish a standalone renewable energy subsidiary.
The new entity will operate independently to allow greater governance flexibility, improved market positioning, and enhanced Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The tender seeks partners with experience in renewable energy ventures, Independent Power Producer (IPP) business models, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and financial structuring.
Eskom aims to shift from its predominantly coal-based generation fleet to mainly clean energy sources by 2040.
The company plans to grow renewable energy capacity to 32 gigawatts (GW), up from less than 1 GW currently, while reducing coal capacity from 39 GW to 18 GW.
Through its e-mobility programme and renewable energy expansion, Eskom aims to cut carbon emissions, create jobs, foster innovation, and solidify its role as a driver of South Africa’s low-carbon transition.
