Zero Carbon Logistics, a company looking to build 120 truck charging sites in South Africa, has teamed up with Chinese truck maker SANY as its technology partner for the planned rollout of its off-grid electric truck charging network on the N3 electric highway in South Africa.
Zero carbon Logistics, a subsidary of South Africa EV Charging startup Zero Carbon Charge, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chinese truck manufacturer SANY for it to be the official technology provider for its network of off-grid electric truck charging sites.
The partnership will see the development of six renewable energy charging stations designed specifically for electric trucks that use the N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban, one of the busiest truck routes in the country. These six charging stations will be the first phase of a larger 120-truck charging network that Zero Carbon Logistics plans to develop on major freight routes across South Africa over the next few years.
According to Joubert Roux, co-founder of Zero Carbon Logistics, SANY’s technical expertise and design capabilities will ensure these charging facilities offer “ultra-fast seamlessly integrated green charging technology” that will be able to charge trucks within ”20 minutes with chargers, or battery swapping in under five minutes”.
The MOU also envisions the two parties working together on the introduction and supply of overseas-manufactured electric trucks and battery technology in South Africa.
Roux emphasised the need for government incentives, such as a six-year tax holiday on the import of electric vehicles, to encourage the adoption of electric trucks and support the development of local EV and battery manufacturing. He also highlighted the importance of investing in charging infrastructure to power these electric trucks and prevent an increase in co2 emissions during the transition.
“If government wants to realise its goal of achieving net-zero transport by 2050, it needs to introduce real incentives to encourage South Africans to choose electric vehicles or electric trucks over internal combustion models (ICE),” added Roux.
