To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt the usage of electric vehicles, the province started launching electric vehicle charging stations at Standard Bank offices in Brandwag, Bloemfontein on Tuesday (14/5).

Zero carbon charging stations will be situated on all major national routes of the Free State and 15 electric passenger vehicle charging stations and seven truck charging stations will be located in various municipalities, including Dihlabeng, Kopanong, Mafube, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mangaung, Mantsopa, Masilonyana, Metsimaholo, Mohokare, Moqhaka, Ngwathe, Phumelela, and Tokologo.

“The long-term environmental benefits will be tremendous if we can migrate our entire transport sector off fossil fuels, petrol, and diesel, as it is the only way of reaching our net zero transport sector goals. It is important for Free State to take a leading role in this and act almost as an example to other provinces,” said Zero Carbon Charge founder Joubert Roux.

Signed memorandum of understanding by MEC of Destea Thabo Meeko and Joubert Roux Zero Carbon Charge founder. Picture: Warren Hawkins

“We are here today to sign a memorandum of understanding with Destea, this is the first network we are rolling out with a province’s support.”

“The first phase of the roll-out is the charging stations on the national roads in the country and this will form part of 120 renewable energy electric passenger vehicle charging stations and 120 truck charging stations that Zero Carbon Charge and Zero Carbon Logistics are building across the country,” said Roux.

Their target is to have all the stations opened by September 2025. “We expect an exponential growth in the uptake of electric vehicles to happen from the middle of the year next year.” 

Joubert Roux explained how the charging stations will work. Picture: Warren Hawkins 

Zero Carbon Charge is an investment company that pledged an amount of R230 million during the Free State Investment Conference that was held on Tuesday, 28 February.

“With the province’s vision of making the province an energy hub, this initiative aligns with the vision of the provincial government to position the Free State as the country’s central energy security hub,” said Free State MEC of Destea Thabo Meeko.

“The primary goal behind this partnership with Destea and the provincial government is to ignite the local economy and create jobs, and new opportunities for small businesses.”

MEC of Destea Thabo Meeko, MEC of Finance Gadija Brown, and Founder of Zero Carbon Charge Joubert Roux at the launch. Picture: Warren Hawkins

“This project we are launching today is very key to us, we are the first province to launch solar-based energy generation charging stations. It is one of a kind, and we are engaging with the investor and looking at a possibility that these batteries to be manufactured in our province,” said Meeko.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg