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South African electric vehicle infrastructure firm Zero Carbon Charge, known as CHARGE, has launched the first of two off-grid, solar-powered charging stations along the Johannesburg to Durban N3 corridor. The rollout marks an early step in building charging infrastructure outside South Africa’s strained electricity grid.
The stations are located on one of the country’s busiest freight and passenger routes. CHARGE says the sites are designed to run entirely off-grid, reducing dependence on Eskom’s limited and often unreliable power system.
The launch comes as interest in electric vehicles rises in South Africa. AutoTrader reported a 45% year-on-year increase in EV searches between February and March 2026, while engagement rose more than 200%.
Industry body naamsa said new energy vehicle sales increased 7.1% to 16,716 units in 2025, up from 15,611 in 2024. Even so, the market remains small, with NEVs accounting for just 2.8% of total new vehicle sales.
CHARGE co-founder and chair Joubert Roux said building off-grid charging infrastructure along major transport routes would help reduce exposure to volatile fuel prices and improve long-term cost stability. The company plans to expand quickly and wants to install 60 stations nationwide by the end of 2027.
While the first phase focuses on passenger vehicles, CHARGE also wants to serve commercial transport. Roux said the company is already targeting truck charging hubs as part of a broader network.
