Zero Carbon Logistics (Zero CL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sany to be the technology provider for its proposed off-grid electric truck charging network on the N3.

Zero CL says Sany will develop and operate six renewable energy charging stations for electric trucks that use this busy highway between Johannesburg and Durban.

The MoU was signed at Sany’s Premium Customer Summit for Africa BU2024, held in China, which showcased innovations in the manufacturing of electric trucks and electric charging technologies.

“[Sany’s] technical expertise and superior design capabilities will ensure these facilities offer ultrafast seamlessly integrated green charging technology that will be able to charge trucks within 20 minutes with chargers, or allow for battery swapping in under five minutes,” says Zero CL cofounder Joubert Roux.

The six charging stations will form part of a proposed 120-truck charging network that Zero CL aims to develop on major freight routes across South Africa over the next few years.

Zero CL says the process to acquire permits for the first six sites on the N3 has started, and anticipates that they should be operational from November 2027 onwards.

In addition to collaborating on the charging technology for the N3, the MoU also envisages the two parties working together on the introduction and supply of Chinese manufactured electric trucks and battery technology to South Africa.

“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,” says Roux.

“This must include opening the market to cheaper imported models by implementing a six-year tax holiday on the import of EVs.”

Zero CL’s sister company, Zero Carbon Charge (Zero CC), says its research shows that an electric truck charged by Eskom’s mainly coal-powered network could emit 37.5% more CO2-equivalent emissions a kilometre compared to an equivalent diesel-powered truck.

This means that the development of a green charging network is crucial to prevent the risk of increasing CO2 emissions as the world transitions to electric trucks, notes Zero CC.

“Zero CL has already entered agreements with landowners for 79 of the 120 off-grid electric truck charging sites that it plans to build on long haul routes across South Africa,” says Roux.