Klerksdorp Record, Wolmaransstad - The first 100% renewable energy charging station in what will become South Africa’s first national network of 120 solar-powered charging facilities spaced out at 150km intervals broke ground in Wolmaransstad this week.
This station is situated between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad. This is a significant milestone in South Africa’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Unlike other charging stations that connect to Eskom’s grid (and thus use coal as their primary energy source), Zero Carbon Charge’s charging stations are powered by South Africa’s abundant and renewable supply of sunshine.
“We are thrilled to begin construction of the first 100% renewable energy charging facility in Wolmaransstad today. It is great news for the environment, and it is great news for motorists who won’t have to worry about load-shedding preventing them from charging their vehicles,” said Joubert Roux, co-director and founder of Zero Carbon Charge.
Each Zero Carbon Charge charging station generates electricity on-site using solar PV and stores energy in lithium iron phosphate batteries, with generators fuelled by hydrotreated vegetable oil as a back-up power source. Hydrotreated vegetable oil is used as it offers a reduction of carbon emissions of up to 90% compared to diesel.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Mayor of Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Mzwandile Feliti, said: “We are excited that our municipality is leading the way with the green transport transition, with the first approval for a facility like this in the country.”
Each Zero Carbon Charge station will include a farmstall so that motorists charging their vehicles can enjoy a quick snack and a cup of coffee in the 20 minutes it will take for their car to be fully charged again.
Zero Carbon Charge’s total investment, worth R1 8bn will boost South Afri-ca’s rural economies by providing local jobs and an additional revenue stream for farmers. Landowners will earn 5% of the revenue generated from vehicle-charging on their land, whilst a percentage of revenue will also be reinvested in local socio-economic development initiatives.
