SA sets pace for EV charging price standardisation

From the newsletter

South Africa has the most harmonised EV charging prices in Africa, an analysis by Mobility Rising shows. Price variations between major operators are minimal, with consumers paying about the same rate for both DC and AC charging. Kenya shows moderate differences, while Nigeria records the highest price disparities, creating unpredictability for customers.

• South Africa’s leading charge point operators include Rubicon, GridCars, Maxio, and Charge. DC charging prices differ by about $0.05 per kWh, with Rubicon charging the highest at R8.24 ($0.47/kWh), while GridCars and Maxio offer lower rates at R7.35 ($0.42/kWh).

• South Africa ranks among Africa’s leading EV markets, with several OEMs establishing operations in recent years. Its extensive charging infrastructure is already in place, and operators are collaborating to drive further electrification of the transport sector.

More details

• EV charging prices in South Africa have remained stable for over six months. DC charging averages R8 ($0.45) per kWh, while AC sits at R6 ($0.34) per kWh. This stability provides predictability for both operators and consumers.

• AC charging is nearly fully standardised across the country. Maxio and GridCars charge R5.88 ($0.335), while Rubicon is slightly higher at R6 ($0.341). The narrow price gap enhances consumer trust and simplifies market adoption.

• Kenya offers the most affordable AC charging in the region. Chargenet sets its price at KES 5 ($0.04), while EVChaja goes even lower at KES 4.3 ($0.03). These rates rival home charging, strengthening Kenya’s EV adoption case.

• Nigeria’s DC charging costs are cheaper than in both Kenya and South Africa. A Qore Caspain (37.27 kWh) charge costs $13.21 compared to Kenya’s $16.03 and South Africa’s $16.77. This is largely driven by lower commercial electricity tariffs in Nigeria.

• Pricing among Nigerian operators varies widely. Qoray Mobility charges $0.35/kWh, costing ₦20,000 ($13.21) for a full charge, while Siltech World charges a flat ₦8,000 ($5.10). Such disparities highlight a fragmented market with limited price transparency.

• Nigeria’s motorcycle battery swaps show large price gaps. MAX charges ₦2,500 ($1.59) per swap, while Siltech Electric Ginsu offers ₦1,500 ($0.96), a $0.63 difference which is more than triple of Kenya’s gap. In Kenya, swaps are tightly clustered, with Ampersand and Arc Ride at KES 260 ($2.00) and Spiro slightly higher at KES 290 ($2.20).

Our take

• Standardising EV charging prices is essential to prevent market fragmentation. Without it, consumers face confusion, and operators risk creating artificial barriers that slow adoption.

• Transparent, predictable pricing builds trust and accelerates EV uptake. If consumers know what to expect at every station (just as in the case with petrol stations), they are more likely to switch from fossil fuels to electric.

• Governments and regulators cannot afford to leave pricing entirely to market forces. A coordinated framework is needed to balance operator viability with consumer fairness and to truly unlock mass e-mobility.