SOUTH AFRICA TARGETS 2026 TO PRODUCE ELECTRONIC VEHICLES 

South African government is targeting to produce its first electronic vehicle (EV) in 2026.  

The move is to be part of efforts to transit to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

South Africa already prides itself as African's largest automotive manufacturing hub.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Ebrahim Patel said plans are already concluded to achieve the feat.

Patel outlined that the green transport transition plans required an estimated investment of 128.1 billion rand ($6.84 billion) between 2023–2027.

This investment, Patel stated, will enable the transport sector to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s decarbonisation commitments.

“We’re already producing hybrids but we anticipate that the first electric vehicles are likely to be produced already by 2026.” 

The green transport transition programme will first reduce the import duties for batteries in vehicles produced and sold in the domestic South Africa market temporarily. 

Then, it will eventually promote the commercialisation of green hydrogen production as a source of sustainable fuel.