Econet Subsidiary, Distributed Power Africa (DPA) is deploying electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Zimbabwe in a bid to encourage electric vehicle uptake in the Southern African nation. The deployment of public EV charging infrastructure by DPA is a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s EV scene.
The development comes at a time the government of Zimbabwe made commitments to work on a framework that promotes the use of EVs. Zimbabwe’s energy regulator, ZERA, added the 62 kWh Nissan Leaf e+ to its fleet. The country is looking to decarbonise its transport sector by embracing clean and sustainable transport and mobility systems.
Our charging stations will ease a major concern for consumers looking to move to EVs, by removing the fear of running out of battery on their journey
Divyajeet Mahajan, DPA Zimbabwe’s Chief Executive Officer
Charging stations to ease EV journey in Zimbabwe
DPA says their charging stations will ease major concerns for consumers looking to move to EVs by removing the fear of running out of battery on their journey. The company has already installed the first three EV charging stations in Msasa, Harare. The EV stations include 7 kW and 22 kW AC chargers. DPA plans to deploy an additional 17, 60 kW DC fast chargers at various sites across Zimbabwe.
“Electric vehicles have zero emissions and we are excited to add this innovation to our solar offering. We have grown our commercial and industrial energy deployments, and bundling our solar solutions with EV charging infrastructure will aid the transition to cleaner energy” said Divyajeet Mahajan, DPA Zimbabwe’s Chief Executive Officer.
DPA is now offering installation of EV charging stations as a part of its corporate and industrial solar installations. The company hopes this will motivate businesses to take up EVs as they renew their fleets.
Greater use of EVs impact on Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe currently imports around US$1.2 billion worth of fuel annually. The country has abundant solar energy potential which is largely underexploited. Adoption of EVs and their greater uptake will have significant environmental and economic benefits on the Southern African country. Adoption will not only reduce the country’s foreign currency spent on fuel but will also have tremendous environmental and economic benefits.
Rolling out of electric charging vehicle infrastructure could potentially create several thousands of jobs that the country so desperately needs. Further more jobs will be created with the installation of solar energy systems for the stations.
