Mpumalanga Storms Cause Deaths and School Damage
October 29, 2024
Operation Vala Umgodi Leads to Arrest of Illegal Miners
October 30, 2024
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is participating this week in the annual e-Mobility Summit, organised by uYilo and held as part of South Africa’s Transport Month. The three-day event, which runs from 29 to 31 October 2024, is hosted by Nelson Mandela University and features industry leaders, government representatives, and electric vehicle (EV) experts. Together, they are discussing innovations in EV technology, infrastructure, and the emerging opportunities in South Africa’s electric mobility landscape.
uYilo, a national e-Mobility Programme launched in 2013 by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), is dedicated to advancing electric mobility in South Africa. The word “uYilo” comes from the Xhosa term meaning “to create,” reflecting the programme’s ambition to foster a robust e-mobility sector within the country. The summit offers a platform for industry and government to discuss advances in electric mobility, alongside a showcase of the latest EVs and innovations. The event’s theme, “Enhancing the e-Mobility Value Chain for Sustainable Development in South Africa,” underscores the nation’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
As global demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, with sales reaching 17 million units so far this year—representing more than one in every five vehicles sold worldwide—South Africa is moving towards developing its own value chain for EV components, particularly batteries. The demand for EV batteries is pushing South Africa to focus on developing resources and manufacturing capabilities, especially in lithium-ion batteries, which currently dominate the market.
In line with this goal, the DSTI launched the Energy Storage Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative, a consortium working to create a value chain for lithium-ion batteries in South Africa. This initiative aims to support the automotive and energy storage sectors, with research covering the entire production cycle, from mining and beneficiation to recycling. The consortium includes the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, and several universities, including the University of the Western Cape, the University of Limpopo, the University of the Witwatersrand, and Mintek.
According to the DSTI, developing local capabilities in battery manufacturing and recycling could place South Africa as a valuable player in the global EV market. The country is investing in research to improve battery performance, safety, and sustainability, addressing some of the critical challenges within the electric mobility sector.
With events like the e-Mobility Summit and government-backed initiatives, South Africa is laying the groundwork for a sustainable EV industry, addressing technological and supply-chain demands while creating opportunities for local industries. The growing interest in EVs represents a transformative shift in South Africa’s transport sector, aligning with global sustainability trends and the country’s long-term energy and environmental goals.
