Ethiopia leaves South Africa in the dust on EVs

Ethiopia leaves South Africa in the dust on EVs

South African industry scores better on electrification than its counterparts in Germany, the US and the UK, according to a new 16-country index. On electric vehicles, however, the country trails far behind Ethiopia, and its grid is among the index’s weakest performers. The first edition of the Electrification Competitiveness Index (ECI), developed by the We…

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Vehicle-to-grid EVs could slash electricity, driving costs

Vehicle-to-grid EVs could slash electricity, driving costs

Vehicle-to-grid helps balance grid demand, supports renewables and can generate income. (Image created using GenAI via ChatGPT) A new study suggests that widespread adoption of vehicle-to-anything (V2X) electric vehicles (EVs) could double as home energy assets, helping South African households save on fuel and electricity. The research shows that combining EVs with rooftop solar not…

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Africa: Are Volkswagen’s EVs Made with African Conflict Minerals?

Africa: Are Volkswagen’s EVs Made with African Conflict Minerals?

The German carmaker requires substantial amounts of minerals for its transition to electric vehicles. But new research by DW shows that some of Africa’s most notorious smelters are part of Volkswagen’s supply chain. The 3TG raw materials — tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold — are key as the auto industry strives to transition to electric vehicles (EV). These materials are critically important for…

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Driving on sunshine – how EVs and solar could power South Africa forward

Driving on sunshine – how EVs and solar could power South Africa forward

South Africa’s energy and mobility sectors are colliding in transformative ways. Electric vehicles have become more accessible, and CleanTechnica reports that local EV sales have grown by 35% between 2023 to 2024. Yet, this exciting growth is marred by a familiar challenge: the country’s fragile, overburdened national electricity grid. Can our electricity system support this…

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