With October recognised as Transport Month, the focus is on South Africa’s Green Transport Strategy (GTS) for 2018 to 2050, which identifies transport as the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas GHG emissions. The aim is to significantly reduce this and other environmental impacts from the transport sector. In this regard, globally trusted infrastructure consulting firm AECOM is a world leader in delivering comprehensive solutions to electrify the future of transportation.
AECOM is actively involved in creating smart energy solutions that improve the efficiency of EV charging. “We also play a key role in larger decarbonisation efforts, assisting cities and organisations to transition to zero-emission transportation,” comments Robert Kotze, Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering Lead.
Kotze says that Transport Month is an ideal opportunity to focus on the zero-emission transportation future. Cities continue to prioritise climate goals, with many focused on reducing transportation-related carbon emissions as a critical first step. Zero emissions technologies such as battery EVs and hydrogen will reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and are essential parts of infrastructure modernisation.
The Electric Vehicle White Paper released in November 2023 addresses e-mobility in South Africa from both a manufacturing and local market perspective. The shift to e-mobility poses substantial challenges and opportunities for South Africa’s automotive component supply chain. The push for EVs, driven by international sustainability goals, requires South Africa to adapt its manufacturing processes and component supply chains to remain competitive.
The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), launched at COP26 in 2021, is a significant part of the country’s strategy to transition from coal to greener energy sources. The partnership involves substantial concessional climate finance from international partners to help South Africa replace its ageing coal-fired power stations with renewable energy alternatives.
South Africa’s EV policy is outlined in its Electric Vehicle Roadmap, part of the broader South African Automotive Masterplan 2035 (SAAM). The roadmap aims to transition the automotive market and production capacity towards EVs while addressing critical energy shortages and the need to decarbonise the economy.
“The EV policy, in conjunction with the JETP, is part of a coordinated effort to decarbonise the economy while promoting sustainable growth and development. These initiatives reflect South Africa’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive energy transition, balancing environmental goals with economic and social considerations,” comments Kotze.
“The transition to EVs presents several challenges, including the need for robust charging infrastructure and the high costs of importing EVs,” says Kotze. While there is significant potential for e-mobility, particularly in sectors like minibus taxis, the current infrastructure and socioeconomic factors need to be considered.
Kotze also sees other opportunities in the e-mobility sector. For example, local innovations such as electric motorcycles and battery-swapping technologies address unique challenges like unreliable electricity supply and lack of fast charging. In addition, the development of niche markets such as last-mile delivery solutions showcase the sector’s potential for growth despite broader challenges.
“This has led to successful e-mobility startups in South Africa, especially in last-mile delivery with micro-mobility solutions. The operational cost benefits and local manufacturing certainly make it viable in developed markets,” adds Kotze.
As South Africa navigates the complexities of e-mobility, Kotze underscores the need for a balanced approach involving both the public and private sector. Successful integration of EVs into existing transportation systems calls for careful planning, policy support and investment in infrastructure and skills development.
“There needs to be an overarching structure, with both the public and private sector driving progress. For example, there is potential to develop EV components locally. Government programmes could incentivise this by mandating EVs in fleets, creating critical mass and supporting local companies,” says Kotze.
With its extensive global experience and capabilities, AECOM is well-positioned to contribute to South Africa’s e-mobility journey. By leveraging international trends and local insights, it aims to support the development of sustainable transport solutions that align with the country’s energy transition goals.
