Vhembe residents considering replacing their fuel-guzzling, smoke-emitting vehicles with more environmentally friendly options may be interested to learn that at least four solar-powered charging stations will soon be built in the region. The stations will be located alongside major roads, with one in Musina and three within the Makhado municipal area.
At the recent Limpopo Investment Conference in Polokwane, a company specialising in solar-powered charging stations confirmed its pledge to invest R4.2 billion over the next decade in the province. This follows a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year with the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA).
"This investment will support the development of 12 off-grid, solar-powered electric car charging stations, and six off-grid, solar-powered electric truck charging and battery-swapping stations along major routes in the province," said Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) in a press release.
These sites are part of the 120 renewable electric car charging stations CHARGE is developing across South Africa, spaced at 150km intervals. An additional 120 electric-truck charging stations will also be established along major highways nationwide.
LEDA has agreed to reduce red tape and provide support to facilitate CHARGE in obtaining the necessary permits, which are still being processed before construction can begin.
"We are grateful to LEDA and the Limpopo Provincial Government for their support and belief in our project," said CHARGE's executive chair, Joubert Roux. "This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in Limpopo's transition to sustainable energy and transportation, preparing the province for the shift to EVs in South Africa."
CHARGE aims to establish off-grid charging stations that provide a clean, zero-emission alternative to Eskom's predominantly coal-powered grid.
"All our EV charging stations will be equipped with six DC charging points and two AC chargers, allowing up to eight vehicles to charge simultaneously. Additionally, the stations are designed to scale up easily to meet increasing demand," CHARGE stated in a marketing brochure.
The ultra-fast EV charging ports are claimed to boost a vehicle's battery from 10% to 80% in about 25 minutes, though charging speeds vary, depending on the vehicle model.
When asked where the stations would be located in Vhembe, CHARGE said four were planned initially, including one in Musina. "The team has indicated that they are still signing up landowners in the region who are interested in hosting a charging station on their land. Landowners who wish to get involved can email the CHARGE team at info@charge.co.za," the company said.
The additional revenue given to landowners through the CHARGE business model has also been welcomed as an effort to empower the agricultural sector. "We are proud to partner with LEDA in developing this network across Limpopo's agricultural regions," Roux continued. "Farmers are essential to this effort, and we are committed to providing them with added revenue streams through a share of up to 5% of the revenue generated by charging stations on their land, as well as surplus electricity."