Eskom Launches First 20 Electric Vehicles, Plans 100 More in Fleet Electrification Push

2025-09-10

Eskom Introduces First Electric Vehicle Fleet as Part of Long-Term Sustainability Strategy

Eskom has launched its first fleet of 20 electric vehicles (EVs), marking what the utility calls a significant step in its transition toward sustainable transport operations and reduced emissions. The vehicles, ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks, will primarily serve the Distribution and Generation Divisions.

The launch event, held on Tuesday, featured demonstrations and test drives showcasing the vehicles' capabilities. This rollout follows Eskom's installation of 10 charging stations across five sites in August 2024.

Planned Expansion and Future Targets

According to Eskom, this initial deployment is just the beginning, with plans to add another 100 electric vehicles to its fleet in the near future. The utility has set an ambitious target for its Distribution Division, which maintains the largest vehicle footprint in the organization, to achieve full fleet electrification by 2035.

Agnes Mlambo, acting Group Executive for Distribution, highlighted the broader implications: "The launch of these vehicles is not only about mobility, it is about reimagining the energy landscape, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport."

Public Infrastructure Plans

Beyond its internal fleet transformation, Eskom has committed to deploying 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years. This move appears designed to address one of the key barriers to electric vehicle adoption in South Africa – the limited availability of charging infrastructure.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane positioned the initiative as part of a broader vision: "Through e-mobility, we are cutting emissions, boosting innovation, and showing how sustainable energy solutions can create real benefits for communities and the economy."

Grid Readiness and Energy Management

A critical aspect of Eskom's e-mobility strategy involves ensuring the grid can handle increased electricity demand from a growing EV fleet. The utility states it has incorporated EV load forecasting into its long-term planning processes.

Eskom is also developing smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs, which would allow for charging during off-peak periods. This approach could potentially help balance grid demand while making EV ownership more cost-effective for consumers.

Collaboration Framework

Since 2021, Eskom has been engaging with various stakeholders including government departments, automotive manufacturers, petroleum companies, and research institutions to develop what it calls "a strong and integrated e-mobility framework" for South Africa.

The utility views this initiative as an opportunity to diversify its revenue streams while contributing to national climate goals.

Outlook

While Eskom's EV initiative represents a notable step in South Africa's green transportation development, it comes at a time when the utility continues to work on stabilizing the power grid following years of loadshedding challenges. The success of widespread EV adoption will depend significantly on grid reliability and capacity.

The planned rollout of public charging infrastructure over the next two years will be a key indicator of how quickly South Africa's EV ecosystem might develop beyond early adopters and fleet operators. As the country's primary electricity provider, Eskom's role in enabling this transition extends beyond its own fleet transformation.

Key Terms Explained

Electric Vehicles (EVs): Vehicles that run on electricity stored in batteries rather than fossil fuels, producing zero tailpipe emissions.

E-mobility: The concept of using electric-powered transportation systems and vehicles to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Smart charging systems: Technology that controls when and how fast an EV charges, often optimizing for electricity costs, grid demand, or renewable energy availability.

Time-of-use tariffs: Electricity pricing structures that vary by time of day, typically offering lower rates during off-peak periods to encourage shifting consumption away from peak demand times.

EV load forecasting: Predicting how much electricity will be needed to support a growing number of electric vehicles, helping utilities plan for future grid capacity needs.