Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has successfully charged for the first time in South Africa an electric truck using fully offgrid solar-powered public charging at its Wolmaransstad site.

This marks a historic milestone for South Africa’s transport and energy transition and signals that electric freight, powered entirely by renewable energy and independent of the national grid, is no longer a future concept but a present-day reality.

The milestone coincides with one year of operations at CHARGE Wolmaransstad, where provincial government leaders, investors, and strategic partners gathered on January 15 to witness what is widely regarded as a breakthrough moment for green mobility and logistics in South Africa.

“The demonstration proves that long-haul electric trucks can operate reliably on clean energy generated on site, removing one of the biggest perceived barriers to freight electrification,” says CHARGE co-founder and chairperson Joubert Roux.

For him, the achievement is a milestone for both the company and the country as it marks the start of the future of green mobility.

“Electric trucks are going to become a reality sooner than passenger electric vehicles (EVs), because the economics, the routes, and the operational logic all align. This is where the transition truly accelerates,” Roux states.

Having worked with commercial vehicle manufacturer SANY on the endeavour, CHARGE’s demonstration proves that electric freight corridors powered by renewable energy are viable, scalable and investable.

SANY South Africa sales marketing director Avinash Singh comments after working with CHARGE for more than a year, it is indeed a special moment to show that SANY trucks are charging for the first time at a CHARGE station fully powered by solar and battery energy.  

With CHARGE actively developing a national network of solar-powered EV charging stations across South Africa’s major highways, the focus is now shifting to freight corridors.

The next dedicated electric truck-charging sites are set to launch along the N3 corridor this year, positioning South Africa’s busiest logistics route at the forefront of the energy transition.

Free State Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Moses Makume welcomes the rollout, especially with the Free State being among the first provinces with infrastructure along the N3 capable of charging electric trucks.

“The Free State is proud to be part of mitigating climate change while actively driving the future economy and sustainable logistics,” Makume says.

In turn, Development Bank of Southern Africa product innovation head Spiwe Sibanda adds the demonstration reinforces the bank’s confidence in CHARGE’s projects and business model. The bank will continue to support initiatives that deliver real impact for the economy, the environment and long-term energy resilience.

Consultancy Accenture automotive and e-mobility principal director Greg Cress says the work of CHARGE to install offgrid solar-powered charging stations epitomises what the country needs for an EV market to develop.

“As South Africa faces mounting pressure to decarbonise transport, secure energy supply, and modernise logistics, CHARGE’s offgrid model offers a practical pathway forward – one that aligns private capital, public policy, and climate objectives to build infrastructure that works now and at scale,” Cress concludes.