The uYilo electric mobility programme has announced the opening of the 2022 kick start funding call for electric mobility projects. The technology development funding started in 2014 and provides up to R1 million for projects that qualify to e-Mobility focus areas – energy storage, vehicle systems, charging infrastructure and connected cars.
Previously funded projects included battery systems, charging solutions, motors, inverters, remote monitoring systems, and electric vehicles. Project submissions will be evaluated against the required criteria, with those accepted required to achieve a set of milestones throughout the project development process.
“The development of a local e-Mobility value-chain is the key outcome of the uYilo kick start funding initiative,” says uYilo Director, Hiten Parmar. “The kick start fund focuses on accelerating existing research and development to the level where they can be commercialised into the market. It provides the support for local products and services, along with developing skill sets so South Africa can use its own resources to build an electric vehicle industry, with expanding opportunities for export while creating local employment.”
International market changes in the acceptance of internal combustion engines (ICE), with deadlines for allowing ICE vehicles into city centres, has placed the spotlight on South Africa’s need to evolve into the electric mobility future.
“We need to become part of the future and have the opportunity to become a leader in e-Mobility in Africa. The uYilo Kickstart Fund is part of helping local companies realise the future and become globally competitive with local innovation” says Parmar.
Internationally ICE technology has a decade left before being replaced by a variety of solutions within the eMobility ecosystem. After that time, South Africa will have to be an exporter of eMobility solutions, with the associated local workforce and job opportunities, or it will have to rely on imports, with little of the local automotive industry left.
Project applications must be completed and submitted to info@uYilo.org.za before the deadline at midday on 31 January 2022.
The full list of past kick start projects is available on the uYilo website at www.uyilo.org.za/kick-start-fund/ – with all the supporting documentation to submit a proposal.
