Charge begins rollout of solar-powered EV charging stations

From the newsletter

South African EV charging company Charge is set to begin construction of its first five off-grid, solar-powered charging stations. This marks the start of a plan to build a network of 120 stations across the country. The move comes after the Development Bank of Southern Africa completed due diligence on a $5.7 million equity investment in the company.

• Electric vehicle adoption in South Africa is accelerating, with at least 4,000 already on the road. This number is expected to rise to over 25,000 by 2030, driving a sharp increase in demand for charging infrastructure.

• The country currently has a network of 500+ charging stations, led by providers such as GridCars and Rubicon. However, most remain dependent on utility Eskom’s fossil-fuel-powered grid, which is unreliable and costly.

More details

• Charge is South Africa’s first and only company developing a nationwide network of entirely off-grid, solar-powered, ultra-fast EV charging stations. Its DC fast Chargers can recharge a compatible EV in about 25 minutes. The company also provides additional AC points to cater to plug-in hybrids.

• The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has invested $5.7 million, providing crucial capital for an infrastructure rollout that is especially costly for fast chargers powered by on-site solar plants. The funding will support the construction of five sites, two of which are expected to break ground next month. Most of the capital will go toward technology and hardware, including solar panels, batteries, Chargers, and a mobile app.

• Although Charge has secured all environmental approvals and originally aimed to complete 60 sites by the end of next year, financing delays have slowed progress. Still, the company’s model has won investor confidence. “Charge’s off-grid charging model is a future-proof solution that supports the expansion of South Africa’s EV market while strengthening consumer trust in green energy and mobility,” said DBSA divisional executive Spiwe Sibanda.

• Charge co-founder Joubert Roux added, “Our first station was built as a self-funded proof-of-concept to showcase our dream. Today, this investment validates our business model as the future of South Africa’s green transport infrastructure.”

• The business case is strengthened by rising grid tariffs. Eskom plans price hikes of 8.7% and 8.8% over the next two years, undermining EV cost savings and likely driving demand for off-grid solar charging. By contrast, Charge expects its tariffs to remain stable, or even fall, as panel, battery, and charger costs decline.

• South Africa’s broader solar market is also booming. The country imports over 3 GW of panels annually, and rooftop solar capacity has already reached 7.3 GW, surpassing the total renewable capacity contracted by Eskom from independent power producers (IPPs). To encourage local manufacturing, the government introduced a 10% import duty on solar panels last year and plans further taxes on imported renewable technology components.

Our take

• Charge’s off-grid solar charging model allows it to bypass Eskom’s unreliable, fossil-heavy grid. If it can deliver stable and cheaper tariffs, it could quickly attract EV owners frustrated by rising electricity costs.

• South Africa’s EV adoption is expected to accelerate further when new incentives, such as the 150% tax deduction for investments in EVs, battery manufacturing, and charging infrastructure, take effect in 2026.

• To boost utilisation, Charge may integrate its stations with shopping centres, logistics hubs, and transport corridors. Partnerships with retailers, fleet operators, and carmakers could help secure consistent demand and speed up the rollout.