EV INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER PRESSURE?

BY TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS

REGULATION GAPS AND GRID CONSTRAINTS WILL DETERMINE HOW QUICKLY CHARGING NETWORKS EXPAND AND WHETHER SOUTH AFRICA CAN UNLOCK ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION.

The rapid growth of South Africa’ s electric vehicle( EV) market is bringing a critical issue into focus: will drivers be able to easily charge their vehicles at home, at depots and along the road network?

According to Mandy Hattingh, Director in the NSDV Mining and Environmental Law Department, and Luca Maraschin, Senior

Associate in the same, the answer depends on two critical factors: regulatory clarity and grid capacity. Together, these considerations shape the rollout of charging infrastructure and the rate of EV adoption.

Public charging infrastructure, however, presents a more challenging approval landscape.

20 INBOUND SA / MARCH 2026