Renewable energy-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station company Zero Carbon Charge has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese energy storage systems manufacturer Shanghai Magic Power Tech Co, also known as Magic Power, and its local partner Greencore Energy Solutions, to build and import the first-of-its kind integrated supercharging systems for its 120 renewable charging stations currently being rolled out across South Africa.

This will allow customers at Zero Carbon Charge’s off-grid, solar-powered charging stations to charge any EV at its maximum charging rate.

The signing of the MoU follows a trip by Zero Carbon Charge’s team to China at the end of last year to source “cutting edge”, custom integrated solutions for the establishment of its completely off-grid national charging network.

Once completed, this network will be a first for South Africa, as well as the rest of the world, the company states.

The 480 kW liquid-cooled supercharger systems to be supplied by Magic Power and Greencore Energy Solutions will seamlessly integrate with the solar photovoltaic generation and battery storage located at each of Zero Carbon Charge’s 120 charging stations.

“The first batch of superchargers is expected to arrive in South Africa before July, which means that – pending regulatory approvals – we are on track to have our full network of 120 solar-powered charging facilities operational by September 2025,” says Zero Carbon Charge co-founder and director Joubert Roux.

Government’s draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 has shown that South Africa’s predominantly coal-fired generation fleet will not be able to cope with the demands imposed on it by the mass charging of EVs. Hence, to stabilise the grid and end loadshedding faster, prioritisation should be given to the roll-out of off-grid powered EVs.

Moreover, for South Africa to reach its global emissions targets, it is essential that renewable energy is used to charge EVs.

An EV charged with State-owned utility Eskom’s coal-fired electricity emits 5.3 t of carbon emissions in a year, whereas a petrol vehicle, on average, emits 4.4 t of carbon emissions in a year if driven over the same distance.

“Zero Carbon Charge looks forward to working with its commercial partners and government stakeholders to provide catalytic solutions for the adoption of EVs. We are proud to help position South Africa as a global frontrunner in the move towards cleaner EV energy sources,” adds Zero Carbon Charge co-founder and director Andries Malherbe.