JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A pilot project to fully charge a heavy-duty electric truck using only solar energy has spurred a $6.2 million investment to roll out off-grid charging stations along South Africa’s key freight corridor between Johannesburg and Durban. The initiative, led by Cape Town-based Zero Carbon Charge (Charge), aims to address the limitations of South Africa’s power grid and accelerate the adoption of electric freight transport.
The funding, secured from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) last July, is contingent on Charge establishing charging infrastructure at 150-kilometer intervals along national roads. The first two stations, slated for completion by June, will enable long-distance electric vehicle travel along the 570-kilometer N3 highway, a vital link between the country’s economic center and its primary port. Each off-grid site is estimated to cost $1.25 million, according to Joubert Roux, co-founder of Charge.
“This investment allows us to move from pilot projects to full-scale rollouts,” Roux said. “We have proven that it’s possible to fully charge electric trucks using solar energy, and now we are building the infrastructure to do that commercially and reliably.”
Charge demonstrated its capabilities in January by simultaneously charging two heavy-duty electric trucks supplied by Chinese manufacturer SANY Trucks, alongside four passenger electric vehicles. This success comes as South Africa sees a rise in electric vehicle imports, though charging infrastructure remains largely confined to major cities.
The move to electrify freight transport in South Africa faces significant hurdles, including the high energy demands of heavy-duty trucks and a shortage of high-capacity charging sites. The national utility is likewise struggling to consistently meet existing electricity demand. Charge’s approach focuses on building energy-resilient hubs independent of the grid, combining solar power generation with energy storage.
“Our approach is to build energy-resilient charging hubs that are not dependent on an unstable grid,” Roux explained. “By combining solar and storage, You can provide predictable, clean power for fleets.”
The initiative aligns with broader global trends toward decarbonizing logistics. Daimler Truck, in a joint venture with Volvo called Milence, and companies like WattEV in California are also developing solar-powered truck charging hubs. Daimler Truck has committed to selling only zero-emission trucks in Europe by 2039, while Scania aims for a full electric transition by 2040.
However, Roux cautioned that the adoption of electric freight technology still faces risks, including potential delays in securing regulatory approvals for site construction, high import duties on electric vehicles and components, and the need for truck certification. Limited vehicle availability also remains a challenge.
“Fleet operators are under pressure to decarbonize, but they need commercially viable solutions,” Roux said. “This investment helps us deploy infrastructure for logistics, mining and long-haul transport. We believe this model can reduce emissions while strengthening energy security.”
Charge plans to extend its off-grid charging network to the N1 corridor connecting Johannesburg and Cape Town following the completion of the N3 stations. The company is currently awaiting regulatory approvals for the expansion.
