- Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has marked a significant step forward in South Africa’s transition to electric mobility, breaking ground on two off-grid, solar-powered ultra-fast charging stations along the N3 highway.
- The facilities, CHARGE N3 Roadside in the Free State and CHARGE N3 Tugela in KwaZulu-Natal, will be the first of their kind on the key national corridor.
The Roadside station lies roughly 180km from Johannesburg, while the Tugela site is positioned just over 180km further along the route and about 200km from Durban. Both form part of CHARGE’s ambitious plan to develop South Africa’s first network of 120 fully off-grid EV charging stations.
The milestone follows an equity investment from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), which enabled construction to begin on the N3 sites.
“We are grateful to the DBSA for believing in CHARGE’s vision and providing the investment that has made these N3 sites possible,” said Joubert Roux, CHARGE Executive Chairman and Founder. “These first N3 stations represent the beginning of a national transformation, creating reliable, renewable, and accessible charging for all South Africans.”
Image credit: CHARGE
CHARGE held sod-turning ceremonies at both locations, attended by provincial leaders, municipal representatives, and national partners.
At the N3 Tugela ceremony near Winterton, attendees included KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Zondi; Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal CEO Sihle Mkondo; and officials from the Okhahlamba Municipality.
MEC Zondi emphasised the development’s strategic value for KwaZulu-Natal:
“This project demonstrates how green energy and green mobility can unlock new economic opportunities for our province. The N3 is central to trade and tourism in KZN, and the arrival of fully off-grid, ultra-fast charging infrastructure shows our readiness to lead in the future economy.”
In the Free State, the N3 Roadside sod-turning was attended by DESTEA MEC Ketso Makume and Phumelele Municipality Speaker Topsy Roseline Zwane, alongside DBSA representatives.
MEC Makume welcomed the project’s contribution to provincial development:
“By decarbonising transport along the N3, this project supports our provincial goals for a cleaner, more resilient economy. It brings construction and technical jobs into our communities and strengthens the Free State’s position in the emerging clean-energy value chain.”
Construction of both stations is under way and scheduled for completion in 2026. Once operational, the sites will anchor a fully renewable Johannesburg-to-Durban charging route, advancing South Africa’s shift toward a cleaner transport future.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
