Are solar-powered EV chargers really the answer?

May 27, 2025

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Charge, a South African EV charging startup, has secured R100 million ($5.5 million) in funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). The company, formerly known as Zero Carbon Charge, is planning to build a network of off-grid EV charging stations powered by solar energy and supported by battery storage along South Africa’s highways.

  • There is demand for off-grid stations in Africa, given most countries struggle to connect their populations to the grid. Now the decline in global prices of solar panels and lithium-ion batteries is making it cheaper to set up off-grid stations.  

  • Building solar-powered charging stations is not easy. As demonstrated by Charge’s experience in South Africa, developers have to navigate complex regulatory and political hurdles to acquire land leases. 

  • Our take: EV penetration in rural areas is growing steadily, and investments in charging infrastructure may enjoy a first-mover advantage… Read more (2 min)

BYD’s 1 MW charger, the world’s fastest charger, is the biggest EV technology leap this year, tripling the speed of the previous fastest charger. It can charge an electric car up to 80% in just five minutes, nearly the same time it takes to refuel a car at a petrol station. It leads the Mobility Rising technology tracker, which we update monthly.

  • Global EV companies are racing to outdo each other in the development of groundbreaking tech, especially in vehicle charging, battery, vehicle speeds and performance, and software.

  • Yet, Africa still lags the rest of the world, both in its capacity to innovate and ability to afford emerging top-of-the-range global technologies. Due to the small market size, Africa is often one of the last markets for EV companies to introduce new models. 

  • Our take: African startups should seek solutions that are tailored for to African market to accelerate EV sales… Read more (2 min)

Africa has a chance to lead in electric mobility, but its progress depends on addressing cultural perceptions, infrastructure gaps, and policy support. Omondi Isaiah, Head of Operations at Biliti Electric Kenya, argues that while EVs promise cleaner cities and new income streams, adoption faces resistance rooted in limited local capacity.

  • Africa is one of the fastest growing EV markets, but it must invest in homegrown solutions tailored to local needs. The continent hosts dozens of electric mobility startups, suggesting the industry can deliver impact and create jobs.

  • Drawing from years in EV operations, including past experience at Arc Ride, Mr Omondi emphasises that community buy-in is key to ensuring the EV transition is not just imported.

  • Click here to read more… (2 min)

Belinda Akaba, Operations Advisor at Coeus Mobility Limited, repairing a Porsche Taycan 4S in Ghana

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🗓️ Interact with experts at the E-Mobility and Infrastructure Conference (Nov 26)

Jobs

🗺️ Become a GPS Operations Quality Analyst at Mogo (Uganda)

👩🏻‍💼 Join Mogo as a Branch Supervisor (Uganda)

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Various 

🤝 China-Africa auto/motorcycle forum signs agreements worth $230 million

⚖️ Zeekr Egypt takes action against unauthorized electric car imports in Egypt

💸 Mbay Mobility introduces Sponsor a Driver Scheme, enabling sponsors to earn 15% p.a. 

Seen on LinkedIn 

Joseph Mashele, Member of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), says, “It’s important to create an equal society through accessible transport to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, age, or background, can access and utilise transport services effectively and efficiently.”