South Africa wants electric cars

In an effort to promote green technology in South Africa, the government will subsidise the production of electric cars, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said at the launch of the Electronic Vehicle Industry Road Map, which he hopes to submit to the cabinet for approval by September. According to a recent report, South African vehicle manufacturers would qualify for a 35 per cent production subsidy if they locally produced at least 5,000 electronic cars. There are currently three solar-powered chargin
May 7, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In an effort to promote green technology in South Africa, the government will subsidise the production of electric cars, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said at the launch of the Electronic Vehicle Industry Road Map, which he hopes to submit to the cabinet for approval by September.

According to a recent report, South African vehicle manufacturers would qualify for a 35 per cent production subsidy if they locally produced at least 5,000 electronic cars.

There are currently three solar-powered charging stations in the country. The Electric Vehicle Industry Road Map envisions an additional 47 charging stations by 2015.

“What will make these vehicles sellable in South Africa will be entirely dependent on whether these cars are made in South Africa,” he said.  “These are the very early stages for the cars in manufacturing. There are zero of these cars being produced in the country. That is why we need to get the programmes going.”

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