South Africa's EV Charging Surges 142% in a Single Year

Electric vehicle drivers in South Africa have something to celebrate: charging infrastructure is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the world.

Rubicon, one of South Africa's leading EV charging companies, just released numbers that show the country's electric future is accelerating. In 2025, the company's network dispensed 625 megawatt hours of electricity across more than 21,000 charging sessions. That's a 142% jump from the year before.

To put that in perspective, 625 megawatt hours is enough energy to power an electric vehicle for 3.1 million kilometers. That's like driving around the entire planet 78 times on clean electricity.

The growth story gets even better when you zoom out. South Africa now has over 500 public charging stations from various operators, giving the country an EV-to-charger ratio of 1:7. That beats the global benchmark of 1:10, meaning South African drivers have better charging access than most of the world.

What makes this growth special is how it's happening. Private companies are leading the charge, literally. Zero Carbon Charge launched solar-powered stations in rural areas like Wolmaransstad, bringing clean transportation to communities that need it most. BYD announced plans for up to 300 megawatt-level chargers by the end of 2026.

Rubicon now operates 103 public charging stations with a total capacity of 6,648 kilowatts. The company plans to add 77 more stations by 2027, continuing to expand access for drivers making the switch to electric.

The data reveals something interesting about driver behavior. Most people charge at shopping malls between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., turning a routine shopping trip into an opportunity to power up. The average charging session lasts just over an hour and adds enough range for about 100 kilometers of driving.

The Ripple Effect

This charging boom is doing more than just powering cars. It's creating jobs, reducing air pollution, and proving that African nations can leapfrog directly to clean technology without following the same fossil-fuel-dependent path as older economies.

The charging network expansion is also making electric vehicles more accessible. By the end of 2025, South Africa had over 12 electric vehicle models available for under one million rand (about $53,000). Chinese manufacturers like BYD, Geely, and Chery brought affordable options to market, while established brands like BMW and Volvo expanded their electric lineups.

State-owned utility Eskom is joining the movement too, piloting 10 charging stations and committing to fully electrify its vehicle fleet by 2040. When the country's largest power company goes electric, it sends a powerful signal about where transportation is headed.

Toyota confirmed three new battery-electric vehicles arriving in early 2026, and several Chinese brands are preparing South African launches this year. More options mean more competition, which typically means better prices for consumers.

South Africa is showing the continent and the world that the electric vehicle revolution isn't just for wealthy nations with established infrastructure—it's happening everywhere people are ready to embrace cleaner transportation.