The roll-out will see the construction of 15 electric passenger vehicle charging stations and seven electric truck charging stations by Zero Carbon Charge and Zero Carbon Logistics, respectively. This network will be completed by September 2025.

They will form part of the 120 renewable energy electric passenger vehicle charging stations and the 120 electric truck charging stations that Zero Carbon Charge and Zero Carbon Logistics are building across the country, strategically spaced on national routes in rural areas.

The launch took place in Bloemfontein and was attended by the MEC of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Thabo Meeko, MEC of Finance, Gadija Brown, and co-founder of Zero Carbon Charge, Joubert Roux.

In his opening remarks, MEC Meeko commented on the off-grid EV-charging station network roll-out in the province: “It is encouraging to see that through the Free State’s energy indaba and investment conference, we are attracting private investors who see the potential of the Free State as being an energy hub for the country.

“We recognise Zero Carbon Charge as a key private partner who will promote not only off-grid electric vehicles charging stations, but who will promote socio-economic benefits such as job creation and skills development, while supporting green mobility and energy resilience. We are proud to be the first province to launch an off-grid EV-charging network.”

Joubert adds: “By supporting our project, MEC Meeko is pioneering a new era of sustainable transport in the Free State. Our off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging network will not only reduce the province's carbon footprint but will also stimulate local economic growth, creating new opportunities for small businesses, communities and farmers.”

This investment by Zero Carbon Charge and Zero Carbon Logistics to establish the 15 electric passenger vehicle and seven electric truck charging stations in the province is set to be worth R4.3 billion. It will create thousands of jobs in the immediate first phase, as well as over the long term, and will establish a thriving EV economy within the Free State’s special economic zone and support energy resilience within the province.

Landowners will earn 5% of the revenue generated from vehicle-charging on their land, whilst 1% of the total revenue from charging will also be reinvested in local socio-economic development initiatives.

Crucially, Zero Carbon Charge’s off-grid charging stations will continue to operate uninterrupted during load-shedding and will provide a clean zero-emission alternative to charging from Eskom’s primarily dirty coal-powered grid.

• The electric vehicle charging sites will be located in the following local municipalities in the Free State: Mohokare, Ngwathe, Metsimaholo, Mafube, Tokologo, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mangaung, Dihlabeng, Kopanong, Phumelela, Moqhaka, Mantsopa and Masilonyana.