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Massive growth in electric vehicles won’t impact electricity demand – Eskom

One of our big questions at the moment is when we’ll start seeing more electric vehicles (EVs) on South African roads?

Of course, more EVs means there needs to be more options for folks to charge their vehicle when they’re not parked at home. Above and beyond that we need stable electricity because one can’t really afford to have the power go off while you sleep and your car was meant to be charging.

With Eskom facing the crisis it is at the moment as regards electricity generation, it’s rather odd then to see the utility saying it’s ready for EVs, and perhaps more strange is how it views EVs.

“Those concerned about Eskom’s ability to supply the necessary electricity need not worry – even a massive growth in EVs will not have a major impact on the overall demand during any normal day,” Eskom said in a statement.

The utility says that since 2015, 1 000 EVs have been sold in South Africa. What is holding the local EV market back? Well according to Eskom it’s not power cuts.

“Eskom is actively involved in the EV sector as the primary electricity supplier for vehicle charging. Eskom’s main objective is to craft special tariffs for EV owners to charge their vehicle at off-peak times, thereby helping to flatten the demand patterns outside peak periods and ensure affordable power for EV owners,” Eskom said.

The utility says that 45 percent import duties on EVs, range of EVs and access to charging facilities are factors holding the EV market back locally.

We’re jut going to come out and say this Eskom, you also need a consistent energy supply for an EV. Do you honestly think as many people would own cars if the fuel supply was as erratic as the electricity supply? Of course they wouldn’t.

Beyond that, if Eskom plans on imposing special tariffs on EV owners for charging their vehicles during the peak periods, that’s a sure way of discouraging folks from switching to a cleaner mode of transport.

The utility adds that it is working with car manfacturers, uYilo, EVRT Africa, GridCars and various government departments to come up with a “country solution regarding electric transport”.

[Source – Eskom]

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