For electric vehicle (EV) owners, a shopping trip could soon become an opportunity to recharge more than just their batteries.
Eskom has officially launched public EV charging facilities at Gateway and Pavilion malls in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, as part of its efforts to expand charging infrastructure and support South Africa’s transition to electric mobility.
The launch, held during National Transport Month in October, highlights the growing focus on making electric vehicle charging more accessible at places where people shop, work, live and travel.
For motorists considering switching to an electric vehicle, access to convenient charging points remains an important part of the decision. By installing facilities at major shopping destinations, Eskom aims to help address concerns around charging availability while supporting the country's developing EV market.
EV charging comes with an introductory discount
To encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles, Eskom is offering customers a 20% introductory discount for the first six months at its charging facilities.
The initiative forms part of Eskom Distribution's broader e-Mobility programme, which includes electrifying its own fleet, deploying charging infrastructure and gradually expanding a public charging network across South Africa.
Speaking at the official opening, Eskom Distribution's Acting General Manager of Operations Enablement, Zuhdi Hamza, said the facilities reflected the utility's evolving role in providing energy solutions that respond to changing customer needs.
“By investing in charging infrastructure and electrifying our own fleet, Eskom is not simply talking about the energy transition, we are actively participating in it while enabling the broader transition to electric mobility,” said Hamza.
How Eskom is expanding its EV charging network
Eskom Distribution has deployed 92 electric vehicles and 104 charging stations across 68 Eskom and partner sites.
Of these, 19 publicly accessible charging stations are located across 14 sites. In KwaZulu-Natal, 15 sites and 15 charging stations have been commissioned.
The utility has also identified a further 84 potential public charging sites across its five clusters, with discussions with property owners at various stages.
The planned expansion is intended to extend charging infrastructure to strategic locations, underserved areas and priority transport corridors.
What this means for South African motorists
The expansion of public charging facilities is part of the infrastructure needed to support wider electric vehicle adoption.
For drivers, the availability of charging points at familiar destinations could make it easier to incorporate charging into everyday routines, including shopping trips and travel.
Eskom says its approach is intended to complement the existing charging market, improve affordability and accessibility, and help address concerns about the availability of charging facilities.
Partnerships with shopping centres, property owners and other industry players are also central to the programme, as the utility works towards a more connected public charging network.
Hamza said the initiative was about more than installing charging stations, but also about connecting people to new opportunities and supporting the country's future energy and mobility needs.
As South Africa's electric mobility market develops, the expansion of public charging infrastructure will remain an important part of making the transition more accessible to motorists.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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