Electric vehicle road trip tests SA charging network
Battery electric vehicle models converged for SA Auto Week, highlighting wider model choice and growing charging infrastructure.
South African Automotive Week (SA Auto Week) 2026 welcomed electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and East London in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The Electric Mission organized the third annual New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Road Trip, featuring 12 battery electric vehicle (BEV) models arriving at Moses Mabhida Stadium, including Alfa Romeo Junior, BMW iX3, BYD ATTO 2, and others.
This marked a significant growth in EV models available in South Africa, with Chinese and Japanese manufacturers expanding their presence. Participants selected charging stops from a variety of fast-charging sites operated by companies like GridCars, Rubicon, and Zero Carbon Charge, with charging requirements varying between models.
The journey coincided with discussions on policy reform and certainty for South Africa's automotive manufacturing industry, as European markets shift towards electric vehicles. South Africa's favorable position in the global automotive market is attributed to its mature auto manufacturing sector, developed logistics, and strategic trade agreements.
With over 544 charging sites and 650 EV chargers, the country's charging infrastructure ranks above the global average, positioning SA as a potential EV manufacturer.
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