22 April marks Earth Day 2025, a global movement dedicated to educating and empowering businesses and individuals to make more sustainable choices, particularly in renewable energy.
Celebrated annually since 1970, Earth Day 2025’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet". One of the aims is to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030. Volvo, a leader in the South African electric vehicle market, has also set a goal for 2030 that aligns with Earth Day: to sell 90-100% electrified vehicles globally by the start of the new decade.
“Following the successful introduction of the C40 and XC40 Recharge, as well as the award-winning EX30, Volvo has expanded its fully electric line-up with the introduction of the EX90,” says Felipe Yagi, Head of Marketing & Communications at Volvo Car South Africa. “Later this year, we’re planning to introduce the ES90 luxury sedan and EX30 Cross Country, bringing electrification to an even wider range of customers.”
Electric vehicles are a natural fit with renewable energy, allowing stakeholders and businesses to contribute to creating a cleaner and greener environment for all. Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE), for example, has embarked on an ambitious plan to roll out 120 off-the-grid charging stations across South Africa (at 150km intervals), allowing owners to charge their electric cars emissions-free1.
Of course, true sustainability extends beyond fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Volvo understands that the world’s natural resources are finite, which is why it has set a goal of becoming a circular business by 2040.
Volvo is committed to eliminating waste and pollution, which includes increasing the use of recycled materials and remanufacturing and reusing parts. The recently launched EX90, for instance, contains around 15% recycled steel, 25% recycled aluminium, and 48kg of recycled plastics and bio-based materials.
Producing new parts requires plenty of energy and raw materials. By remanufacturing parts, Volvo could cut raw material usage by 85% and energy use by 86%. The company currently remanufactures as many as 36 different component groups, from engines to gearboxes, and in 2022, it saved more than 4 800 tonnes of CO2 by remanufacturing over 33 000 parts2.
Korean automaker Hyundai has been an unmitigated success in the SA new car space. The relative newcomer to the market has been a consistent top-five feature on the new-car sales charts. There are many reasons for this, including good, reliable products at competitive prices. In part, the success is also driven by innovation.
South Africa's automotive sector is set for a significant transformation as Chinese and Indian vehicle manufacturers prepare to shift from basic assembly operations to full-scale local production.
Lightstone Auto has rolled out a cutting-edge integration designed to transform how alternative lenders, rent-to-own providers and niche finance firms engage with dealerships.
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I always do like seeing other people dance in their cars. It's one of the things that makes me happy.
Ariel Gore
Uber announced the next phase of its low-cost mobility journey with the expansion of its Uber Moto product to include Uber Go Electric in South Africa.
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) reached a major milestone in South Africa’s electric mobility transition with breaking ground for two off-grid, solar-powered ultra-fast EV-charging stations along the N3 corridor.
BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, is preparing for a major international push, aiming to sell as many as 1.6 million cars outside its home market next year.
