SA launches initiative to promote electric vehicle adoption. Image: SA News.
(The Post News)– The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), and Volvo Cars South Africa, has launched the e-Mobility Energy Drive.
The landmark initiative began over the weekend and culminates at the Uyilo e-Mobility Innovation Summit in Gqeberha, which begins on Tuesday, 28 October 2025. According to reports by SA News Agency, the summit, which is being held in the Eastern Cape, is a flagship event celebrating Transport Month, which is commemorated annually in October and highlights South Africa’s progress toward a sustainable mobility future.
This fully furnished Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate is traveling through Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape on its way from Johannesburg to Gqeberha. The car is gathering real-time data on energy use, charging effectiveness, and EV performance as it travels. The DSTI and SANEDI’s ongoing research on infrastructure readiness and user experience would benefit from this data.
“According to Acting Chief Director for Hydrogen and Energy at DSTI, Mandy Mlilo, this initiative proves that clean mobility is not just a vision for the future; it is happening now,” she said. Mlilo added that they are lowering their national carbon footprint, promoting their just energy transition objectives, and boosting public trust in electric transportation through strategic alliances with SANEDI, Uyilo, and Volvo.
Raising Awareness on Clean Mobility
The Energy Drive aims to raise awareness about clean mobility, featuring DSTI and SANEDI branding and messaging as it travels through various communities. The program uses media events and public interactions to highlight the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), the expansion of public charging stations, and the role of innovation in revolutionizing South Africa’s transportation industry.
The objectives also include encouraging cooperation between leaders in the public, academic, and corporate sectors; promoting the dependability and viability of EVs for interprovincial transport; and using the data gathered to enhance policy and infrastructure design. The Uyilo e-Mobility Summit and Energy Drive serve as a significant platform to foster collaboration among government, academia, and industry.
The summit aims to establish South Africa as a rising leader in the global transition toward smart and sustainable mobility. “This partnership reflects our nation’s growing capacity and commitment to cleaner transportation. By aligning research, innovation and public engagement, we are driving tangible progress toward a low-carbon, energy-efficient future”, CEO of SANEDI, Dr Titus Mathe, added
The EV will be on display throughout the summit at NMU before returning to Johannesburg to continue its awareness and data-gathering mission. The e-Mobility Energy Drive underscores South Africa’s efforts in building a resilient and sustainable transport ecosystem that supports economic growth, environmental stewardship, and energy justice.
The summit is expected to conclude on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
Transports Industry Benefits
The e-Mobility Energy Drive is set to benefit South Africa’s transport industry by accelerating the shift toward cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable mobility. It demonstrates that electric vehicles (EVs) are practical for long-distance travel, helping to build confidence among motorists and transport operators. The initiative supports the country’s just energy transition by reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels while promoting environmental sustainability.
By collecting real-world data on EV performance and charging efficiency, the project will help guide infrastructure development and inform national policy on charging networks and grid planning. It also encourages economic growth and innovation by fostering collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, leading to new research, investment, and job opportunities in green technologies.
Increased EV adoption can lower transport costs, improve energy security, and create a resilient transport ecosystem that supports South Africa’s broader goals of low-carbon development and sustainable growth.
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