South Africa To Launch Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Programme

South Africa is set to launch a programme that will usher in the use of Zero Emission Electric Vehicle in the country.

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, will launch the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Zero Emission Electric Vehicle (Ev) Programme, commonly known as DEA GREEN CARS at Gerotek Test Facilities, WF Nkomo Rd, Pretoria Weston 26 February 2013.

The introduction of the DEA Zero Emission Electric vehicles, a ground breaking pioneering initiative for the South African automobile market, also referred to as the DEA Green cars, seeks to ensure that South Africa practically contributes to the reduction of environmentally harmful gases, by promoting the use of cleaner sources of fuel by the automotive industry.

This initiative is one of the practical outcomes of COP17 hosted by South Africa recently. A unique feature of DEA’s fleet of Zero Emission Electric Vehicles is that they are fully powered by solar energy, from a high-tech assembly of solar tracking panels, housed at the department’s head office, rather than power from the national grid.

The high tech solar panels powering the vehicles generate enough electricity to power the fleet and feed back into the national grid, further incentivising the move for other government departments and ordinary citizens to consider travelling green.

Economically, the Zero Emission Electric Vehicle (Ev) Programmeis also meant to ensure that South Africa keeps the pace of the technological developments in automotive manufacturing against her international counterparts. This initiative will simultaneously address other global concerns such as energy security as oil wells are expected to dry up in the next 50 years.

The DEA believes that a transition to electric vehicles in South Africa is one of the best solutions to cut down on CO2 emissions, in line with the aims of the National Climate Change Response policy and ensure implementation of the resolutions of many Climate Change conferences. South Africa seeks to provide an environment that encourages the domestic automotive industry to prepare for transition into alternative propulsions systems operation and production.

This initiative is a multi-stakeholders partnership program aimed at sustainability for many decades to come and it includes the following Departments: Trade and Industry, Transport, Energy, Science and Technology, South African Bureau of Standards, Nissan South Africa and other car makers, South African Revenue Service (SARS), Eskom, private sector and municipalities, amongst others. Distinguished guests from these stakeholders are expected to attend the launch.

These and other stakeholders are key enablers who will ensure greater feasibility and roll-out of the Electric Vehicles (EV) and localisation opportunities. Although the domestic electric vehicle industry is at its infancy stage and little is known about the Electric Vehicles, the government will roll out an effective consumer education and awareness campaign to popularise the uptake of the EVs.