What free charging stations mean for EV adoption

From the newsletter

The number of free public charging stations in Africa is increasing, and this could accelerate the popularity of electric vehicles. There are at least 64 free electric charging stations in South Africa, an increase of 36% from 47 in September 2024. Morocco has eight Tesla superchargers, which are free, while Kenya has at least two free public fast chargers.

• Free chargers are most commonly found at vehicle dealerships, hotels, restaurants, offices, shopping malls, and universities. They can encourage users to spend time and money while using other services near the charger or act as a value-add to improve the overall visitor experience. 

• In the long term, free chargers could become as common as free public wi-fi. As EV ownership grows, it is likely that business and social establishments that have free chargers will attract visitors, forcing competitors to follow suit. 

More details

• South Africa has the widest network of free chargers in Africa. There are at least 64 free electric charging stations in the country, an increase of 36% from 47 in September 2024. The most common maximum speed at stations with free charging is 22 kW AC, which means a charge from empty to full will typically only be achievable in more than two hours.

• Morocco, one of Africa’s leading EV markets, also has a growing number of free chargers. For example, Tesla Superchargers in Morocco are free for Tesla users. Additionally, Porsche is offering free destination charging in Morocco for owners of Porsche Taycan and plug-in hybrid models.

• In Kenya, national electricity utility Kenya Power has established two free public chargers in the capital Nairobi. The chargers have attracted huge demand from EV users, which has led the firm to plan countrywide expansion. The utility seeks to build 45 new chargers across six counties. Besides Kenya Power, other businesses like banks and government agencies are setting up similar charging points. 

• Free charging stations help reduce range anxiety and make EVs more attractive to consumers. While most of these stations are currently mainly domiciled in the major cities, we could see a gradual rollout in smaller towns. Some establishments setting up in these locations, such as malls and hotels, could offer free chargers to attract customers—drivers may spend time shopping or using services while their vehicle charges.

• However, challenges remain. Free charging is often limited to slower AC chargers, which may not be sufficient for long-distance travel. Additionally, expanding free charging networks requires investment in grid capacity and renewable energy integration. 

• In the meantime, home charging remains the most convenient and affordable location to charge EVs. While home charging is slower, owners can be plugged in here for extended periods — like when parked in the driveway or garage overnight. The benefit is that there is no difference in the cost of electricity used for refilling the battery or powering other appliances.

Our take

• Free charging stations help lower the cost of ownership and reduce range anxiety, making EVs more attractive to consumers. This trend, if sustained, could accelerate mainstream adoption, especially in urban centers.

• Free charging could follow the trajectory of public Wi-Fi, becoming a standard feature in commercial spaces. Over time, sustainability concerns and financial viability may push businesses to limit free access or introduce tiered pricing models. 

• Most free chargers on the continent are slow AC chargers, meaning charging times are long. Expanding networks with faster DC chargers could be more attractive to users, but this is expensive to roll out.