Local EV market set to accelerate with widespread availability of charging stations
Southern Power is enabling further roll-out of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions in South Africa – and the timing could not be better:
- With the global EV market predicted to grow to 25-million units by 2025, EV sales in South Africa have started to rise steadily. With the petrol price exceeding R22 per litre by Q3 2023 and with cheaper EVs finally beginning to enter the market, uptake is set to increase significantly.
- Research by Compare the Market Australia has found that South Africans could make significant savings on their fuel bill by driving EVs, with the country being ranked as the 18th cheapest nation (out of 50) to charge an electric vehicle.
- BMW, Volvo, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar and Porsche currently dominate both new and used EV sales in South Africa. New energy vehicle (NEV) sales including plug-in hybrids, traditional hybrids and fully electric cars, saw a surge of 18.8% in Q1 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
- Ironically, this is in a year when Eskom has hit its highest levels of loadshedding to date. Yet, as a recent test of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Twinshowed, it is possible to keep an EV sufficiently charged despite Level 6 outages – and, as more South Africans move to solar, the pressure on the national grid will gradually decrease.
- Automotive manufacturers still behind the EV curve have taken note of government’s announcement that it will be providing fiscal support to the auto industry, to help it transition to producing EVs.
- Importantly, the uptake of EVs is about to extend beyond the consumer market. For example, Uber Eats aims to be all-EV by 2040. Meanwhile a team from the University of Stellenbosch’s Faculty of Engineering, in partnership with Rham Equipment, is working to put the first electric minibus taxi on South African roads; potentially the first step in disrupting an industry of some 250 000 vehicles.
New energy on show
At this year’s Boatica Cape Town, Southern Power will unveil, for the first time in South Africa, Webasto’s range of electric vehicle and home charging products, which it will be exclusively distributing in Southern Africa.
The Webasto Group has decades of experience in serving automobile manufacturers and is a tier one supplier in that sector. Webasto Charging Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of the group since 2016, is now enabling the mass adoption of electric vehicles, by delivering an optimal charging experience for drivers of all EV makes and models.
Webasto’s commitment to facilitating EV adoption – “the future is electric” – aligns with Southern Power’s vision to deliver pioneering technologies focused on reducing environmental impact, in its chosen market segments in southern Africa.
According to Jacques Brummer, Southern Power CEO, “We have been enabling the adoption of more environmentally friendly marine propulsion solutions for several years now, ranging from diesel outboards to hybrid to fully electric. Now, we are excited to be driving a similar evolution in the local automotive industry, in partnership with Webasto.
With the coming proliferation of Webasto charging solutions in South Africa, we expect both consumers’ range anxiety and government’s slow pace – to date – in getting behind mass adoption of EVs, to fall away.”
Webasto offers a range of charging solutions for the residential sector and is the official home charging solution provider for BMW plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles (in the first half of 2023, BMW took the lion’s share of EV sales in the South African market).
It is also engineering charging solutions for commercial settings:
- Retailers and malls that take an early lead in the provision of billable charging stations stand to become destinations of choice for the growing number of high-income EV drivers, increasing valuable foot-traffic to their establishments and increasing dwell time.
- Company car fleet owners can monitor the proprietary backend, Webasto ChargeConnect, to track and bill employees’ electricity consumption.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can offer customers, guests and employees attractive and reliable charging options.
- Property developers can implement charging stations for tenants, integrated with their buildings’ energy management systems.
- Hotel and restaurant owners can offer guests durable and easy-to-use charging stations and wall boxes, increasing visitor and guest numbers.
- Cities and municipalities can install Webasto EV charging stations in public spaces such as parking garages, parks and government precincts.
A smart solution for every type of EV
Webasto’s full range of efficient AC EV solutions will be carried by Southern Power by Q4 of 2023 and comprises a variety of configurations, including:
Webasto Go, a premium dual-voltage (120V & 240V) portable EV charger designed to charge all types of EVs. Intelligent grid plug assemblies allow for safe and reliable charging at home or anywhere.
ETL certified according to UL2594, the AC-connected wall box TURBOCONNECT, which excels stringent automotive quality, safety, and performance requirements. It is equipped with secure Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity for remote control.
Webasto Pure, Webasto’s best-selling charging station. Backed by a five year warranty, it satisfies the most stringent quality and safety requirements.
The smart charging station Webasto Next, equipped with the proprietary backend Webasto ChargeConnect, giving owners constant oversight of the charging station from anywhere, with the ability to control and manage it remotely.
The intelligent charging station Webasto Unite, also enabling remote control and management via the Webasto ChargeConnect portal, along with local load management and integration into energy management systems.
Webasto MK3, a compact unit designed for commercial use, providing up to 22 kW of charge power and Wi-Fi/Ethernet connected, with remote management via app and web dashboard, will be available from Q1 2024.
Meanwhile, Webasto Smart 160 and Master 480 high-power chargers (HPCs), available via Webasto partner Charge-V, are also distributed and supported by Southern Power.
These charging solutions are complemented by a range of protective coated steel and stainless steel charging pedestals and accessories.
For South African buyers, Southern Power’s team is part of Webasto’s global network of sales support and trained installers that can provide full installation and support.
With petrol prices painfully high and more affordable EVs on the horizon, the move from fossil fuels to electromobility should be the next big consumer trend after the switch from grid to solar.
View the Webasto EV charging range here. For orders and enquiries, contact Southern Power on 021 511 0653 / 021 510 3049, email jacques@southernpower.co.za or visit Southern Power headquarters at 76 Marine Drive, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town.
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