Zero Carbon Charge Solar Charging Project Begins

Key Figures & Findings: Zero Carbon Charge, a South African clean mobility company, has received a $5.6 million investment from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to roll out a national network of solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations. The project aims to position ultra-fast charging stations every 150 kilometres along major highways, offering off-grid energy solutions in a market where EV uptake is constrained by unreliable grid infrastructure. Each station will generate and store solar energy onsite, enabling full independence from Eskom’s national grid. The company, founded to address gaps in climate-friendly transport infrastructure, views the DBSA’s backing as a validation of its decentralised energy approach and its viability in a country where EVs still account for less than 1% of car sales.

Insights: The funding will support a fully off-grid EV charging corridor, with ultra-fast stations spaced across national roads. Each site will run entirely on solar and battery storage, addressing range anxiety and enabling reliable charging access in both urban and rural corridors.

Future Implications: If completed by mid-2027, the project could significantly expand South Africa’s EV ecosystem while setting a precedent for similar off-grid charging models across Southern Africa. Success would also open up new opportunities for low-emission freight, tourism, and private mobility infrastructure by 2028.

Source: TechBuild Africa