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Yet more Chinese imports on their way, this time electric, and available to rent

By: Irma Venter 17th May 2024 Local importer of Dongfeng Sokon Automobile (DFSK) battery electric vehicles (BEV), Enviro Automotive, says it will make a number of additions to its vehicle line-up. The company introduced the DFSK brand to South Africa in July 2022, with the introduction of the EC35 panel van and EC31 one-ton... →

Opinion: Government must come to the party on new-energy vehicles

17th May 2024 The automotive sector requires policy certainty and investment incentives to meet the challenges of the future and sustain its vital role in the economy, writes Nedbank Commercial Banking manufacturing national manager Amith Singh. →

Amith Singh

Startup to build 120 off-grid e-truck charging sites

By: Irma Venter 17th May 2024 Electric vehicle charging startup Zero Carbon Charge has launched a new subsidiary, Zero Carbon Logistics, which it says will roll out 120 off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) electric truck charging sites on national highways across South Africa. According to Zero Carbon Charge, the project will... →

Auto exports soar to new record; shift to EVs sees drop in catalytic converter numbers

By: Irma Venter 7th May 2024 Despite a tough domestic economy undermining a recovery in new-vehicle sales to pre-pandemic levels, record vehicle exports in 2023 ensured that the South African automotive sector still managed to outperform the rest of the manufacturing sector, says Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council... →

Norman Lamprecht

VW Africa laments power outages in Eastern Cape, but Electricity Minister said to be tackling the problem

By: Irma Venter 3rd May 2024 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) suffered four power outages at its Kariega plant in the second week of April, says VWA MD and chairperson Martina Biene. This happened while there was no loadshedding scheduled for the Eastern Cape. →

Electric trucks too expensive? Now you can rent one from Volvo Trucks SA

By: Irma Venter 3rd May 2024 Volvo Trucks South Africa (SA) has introduced an equipment-as-a-service (EaaS) model for its new electric truck rental business. Following last year’s launch of Volvo electric trucks in South Africa, the company has been importing a range of configurations to suit local conditions. →

Cape Town takes another stab at rolling out electric buses for its MyCiTi service

By: Irma Venter 3rd May 2024 The City of Cape Town should have battery electric buses (e-buses) operational on its MyCiTi bus service by 2027, says Urban Mobility MMC Rob Quintas. It will be the city’s second stab at rolling out the zero-emission technology, following an unsuccessful attempt as an early adopter in 2018. →

Hyundai unveils nano cooling film able to slash interior heat in cars

By: Irma Venter 26th April 2024 The Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled what it says is the world’s first application of a nano cooling film. The South Korean car maker describes the film as “a revolutionary vehicle window tint that offers a significant improvement in interior cooling performance compared to conventional tint... →

Volkswagen to invest R4-billion to produce third model at Kariega plant in show of commitment to South Africa

By: Irma Venter 26th April 2024 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) will invest R4-billion in its manufacturing plant in Kariega, in the Eastern Cape. The investment will be used to prepare the plant for the addition of a third model to the company’s production line-up from early 2027. →

‘No operational issues’ as Golden Arrow tests electric Explorer bus

By: Irma Venter 25th April 2024 Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) says it will probably make a final decision in the third or fourth quarter of this year on whether it will acquire any Lion’s Explorer E electric buses from MAN Truck & Bus South Africa (MAN SA). MAN SA in September provided GABS with its first Lion’s Explorer E... →

The MAN Lion’s Explorer E electric bus

South Africa aims to set up three JET-aligned skills development zones

By: Terence Creamer 24th April 2024 Three Just Energy Transition (JET) skills development zones focusing on renewables and grids, electric vehicles and green hydrogen value chains are proposed for implementation under the larger JET Investment Plan (JET-IP), for which pledges of $11.5-billion have been made by several developed... →

IEA expects another record year for EVs in 2024, but sales remain concentrated

By: Terence Creamer 23rd April 2024 The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects electric vehicle (EV) sales to rise to a record 17-million in 2024, representing more than one in every five passenger cars sold, but with sales likely to remain highly concentrated in the Chinese, European and US markets. Sales rose by 35% last year... →

Jaguar Land Rover develops portable charger using second-life batteries

By: Irma Venter 19th April 2024 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has developed a portable battery energy storage system (Bess) using second-life Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) batteries. The unit, built in collaboration with energy storage startup Allye Energy, is the first Bess to be... →

JLR's Bess system

Electric trucks too expensive? Now you can rent one from Volvo Trucks SA

By: Irma Venter 18th April 2024 Volvo Trucks South Africa (SA) has introduced an equipment-as-a-service (EaaS) model for its new electric truck rentals business. Following last year’s launch of Volvo electric trucks in South Africa, the company has been importing a range of configurations to suit local conditions. →

Electric Volvo trucks available to rent

Private renewables procurement may mitigate boom-bust cycles curbing South Africa’s green industrialisation

By: Terence Creamer 18th April 2024 The combination of public and private procurement of large-scale renewables in South Africa signals increased stability for manufacturers of key components, a new GreenCape report argues. Published ahead of the release of the much-anticipated South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM),... →

Together with large-scale procurement, rising rooftop solar installations are offering greater market stability that could stimulate local manufacturing

Toyota adds Hilux, Fortuner hybrids to its local production line-up

By: Irma Venter 12th April 2024 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has added the Hilux double-cab and Fortuner 48 V mild hybrids to its local production line-up at its Durban plant, in KwaZulu-Natal. The addition of the new models brings Toyota’s local hybrid production tally to three, adding to the existing Corolla Cross hybrid... →

Cape Town takes second stab at rolling out electric buses for its MyCiTi service

By: Irma Venter 10th April 2024 The City of Cape Town should have battery electric buses (e-buses) operational on its MyCiTi bus service by 2027, says Urban Mobility MMC Rob Quintas. It will be the city’s second stab at rolling out the zero-emission technology, following an unsuccessful attempt as an early adopter in 2018. →

Zero Carbon Charge says it will build 120 off-grid e-truck charging sites

By: Irma Venter 9th April 2024 Electric vehicle charging startup, Zero Carbon Charge, has launched a new subsidiary, Zero Carbon Logistics, which it says will roll out 120 off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) electric truck charging sites on national highways across South Africa. According to Zero Carbon Charge, the project will... →

Toyota adds Hilux, Fortuner hybrids to its local production line-up

By: Irma Venter 22nd March 2024 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has added the Hilux double-cab and Fortuner 48 V mild hybrids to its local production line-up at its Durban plant in KwaZulu-Natal. The addition of the new models brings Toyota’s local hybrid production tally to three, adding to the existing Corolla Cross hybrid... →

The Hilux 48 V mild hybrid

Aqora rebrands, aims to make battery cells in Cape Town

By: Irma Venter 1st March 2024 South African energy company Aqora has rebranded to become Afrivolt, says MD Deshan Naidoo. The firm’s goal, however, remains the same – opening a lithium-ion cell gigafactory in South Africa, able to produce anodes, cathodes and lithium-ion batteries for stationary storage applications and, in... →

Pay-per-load electric truck group to roll out next-gen vehicle in March

By: Irma Venter 28th February 2024 Pay-per-load trucking company OX Delivers will start building the third generation OX4 electric truck in March, with knock-down kit delivery for assembly in local markets to follow. “Based on learnings in the field and customer feedback, the OX4 is our most advanced truck to date and features a... →

OX Delivers' electric trucks operate in Rwanda

Settling on funding solutions for expedited grid infrastructure set as a Just Energy Transition Investment Plan priority

By: Terence Creamer 27th February 2024 Finalising funding solutions for the expedited expansion of South Africa’s electricity transmission grid has been identified as a key priority for the Just Energy Transition (JET) project management unit (PMU), which is located within the Presidency. The unit is overseeing the implementation of... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Lineworkers work on a high-voltage powerline

‘Asian brothers’ coming to SA 'with a force', says Motus boss

By: Irma Venter 27th February 2024 Motus’ stable of imported vehicle brands – Hyundai, Kia, Renault and Mitsubishi – all experienced a tough six months at the end of last year. Speaking at the company’s financial results announcement on Tuesday, the CEO of the parts and vehicle importer, retailer and distributor, Osman Arbee, said... →

Osman Arbee

Premium car market outlook murky as South Africans continue to hunt for Asian bargains

By: Irma Venter 23rd February 2024 The South African new-car market has been shifting steadily over the last few years as consumers continue to battle persistent economic headwinds. Times are tough. Interest rates, living costs, fuel prices and new-vehicle price tags are all high, driven by not only international turmoil, but also... →

Auto industry pleased with EV allocation, but more will be needed – Naamsa

By: Irma Venter 22nd February 2024 Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has welcomed the announcementby Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his Budget Speech on Wednesday that government will offer financial support for the local automotive industry to expand from the production of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to... →

Image of the Ford Ranger plant in Pretoria

Electric buses to be rolled out in Tshwane, eThekwini

By: Irma Venter 16th February 2024 Tshwane and eThekwini could see the roll-out of 39 electric commuter buses by the end of next year. The introduction of the zero-emissions vehicles will form part of a pilot project funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)... →

VW could announce third production model this year; expects uptick in 2024 car market

By: Irma Venter 9th February 2024 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) will hopefully this year receive the final confirmation on the production of a third model at the Kariega plant, says MD Martina Biene. This third model will add to production of the Polo and Polo Vivo at the Eastern Cape production site. →

The ID.4

Construction of Stellantis’ R3bn Coega auto assembly plant poised to start in May

By: Irma Venter 9th February 2024 Construction work on Stellantis’ assembly plant in the Coega Special Economic Zone, in the Eastern Cape, should kick off in May, says the vehicle manufacturer’s new CEO, Mike Whitfield. The start of assembly – “in a very ambitious plan” – is scheduled for the beginning of 2026. →

DP World, Woolworths unveil axle-powered refrigeration trailer

By: Irma Venter 31st January 2024 Logistics group DP World has partnered with food and clothing retailer Woolworths to roll out a refrigeration trailer featuring AxlePower technology. AxlePower “transforms ordinary road transport trailers into a source of clean and efficient electricity”, says DP World. →

Stellantis plant to break ground in May; Citroën key as volume brand going forward – Whitfield

By: Irma Venter 30th January 2024 Construction work on Stellantis’ assembly plant in the Coega Special Economic Zone, in the Eastern Cape, should kick off in May, says the vehicle manufacturer’s new CEO Mike Whitfield. The start of assembly – “in a very ambitious plan” – is scheduled for the beginning of 2026. →

Hino SA introduces new financing package for truck-tractor models

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th January 2024 Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino South Africa has announced the introduction of a new Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) Plan on the Hino 700 2841 and 2845 truck-tractor models, Hino South Africa VP Anton Falck noted during a media breakfast on January 24. The GFV includes a three-year... →

Takealot rolls out ten JAC battery-powered delivery trucks

By: Irma Venter 26th January 2024 Online retailer Takealot has deployed ten JAC N75 EV battery electric trucks to make deliveries in Gauteng and the Western Cape. The company in November welcomed four N75 four-ton electric trucks at its Cape Town operations, in a deal facilitated through Aeversa, a JAC Motors electric vehicle... →

Sales of NEVs on the rise in South Africa

By: Sabrina Jardim 25th January 2024 Amid a global emphasis on green energy and the subsequent global energy transition, total sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in South Africa increased by 65% year-on-year in 2023, with hybrid vehicles making up most of these sales. Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) witnessed a 22% year-on-year... →

TSAM president and CEO Andrew Kirby

ReElement Technologies signs MoU with Afrivolt to set up African battery, EV supply chain

By: Irma Venter 24th January 2024 Nasdaq-listed American Resources Corporation’s ReElement Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with energy storage company Afrivolt to establish a lithium-battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem in Africa, with a specific focus on West Africa. Afrivolt aims... →

Aqora becomes Afrivolt, aims for battery cell manufacturing in Cape Town

By: Irma Venter 24th January 2024 South African energy company Aqora has rebranded to become Afrivolt, says MD Deshan Naidoo. The firm’s goal, however, remains the same – opening a lithium-ion cell gigafactory in South Africa, able to produce anodes, cathodes and lithium-ion batteries for stationary storage applications and, in... →

Deshan Naidoo

Sodium-ion batteries continue their advance as Altris, Clarios announce collaboration

By: Irma Venter 23rd January 2024 Low-voltage battery solutions manufacturer Clarios and sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology developer Altris have partnered to develop low-voltage Na-ion batteries for the automotive industry. The development of Na-ion batteries has been steadily gaining traction in an effort to produce energy... →

Stellantis invests in sodium-ion battery tech

By: Irma Venter 22nd January 2024 Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of auto maker Stellantis, says it has “become a strategic investor” in Tiamat, a France-based company that is developing and commercialising sodium-ion battery technology. Sodium-ion technology offers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour, and is free of... →

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