Gqeberha – South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), together with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), Nelson Mandela University’s Uyilo e-Mobility Programme, and Volvo Cars South Africa, has launched a new initiative to showcase the practicality of electric vehicles (EVs) for long-distance travel.
The e-Mobility Energy Drive began over the weekend in Johannesburg and will conclude at the Uyilo e-Mobility Innovation Summit in Gqeberha on Tuesday, 28 October 2025. The summit, held in the Eastern Cape, forms part of South Africa’s annual Transport Month celebrations, which highlight the country’s progress toward sustainable transport solutions.
A fully equipped Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate is making the journey from Johannesburg through Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape. Along the way, it is gathering data on EV performance, energy consumption, and charging efficiency, which will inform research on infrastructure readiness and user experience.
Mandy Mlilo, Acting Chief Director for Hydrogen and Energy at DSTI, said the project shows that clean mobility is becoming a reality. She added that partnerships with SANEDI, Uyilo, and Volvo are helping build public confidence in electric transport while advancing South Africa’s transition to low-carbon energy and reducing the national carbon footprint.
The Energy Drive also includes public engagements and media events along the route to raise awareness about EVs, promote charging infrastructure, and demonstrate the benefits of electric mobility for interprovincial travel. The initiative aims to provide practical data for policy and infrastructure planning while fostering collaboration between government, universities, and private industry.
Dr Titus Mathe, SANEDI CEO, said the project reflects South Africa’s commitment to cleaner transport. He noted that combining research, innovation, and public engagement is helping drive progress toward a low-carbon, energy-efficient future.
The Volvo EV will remain on display at Nelson Mandela University throughout the summit before returning to Johannesburg to continue its awareness and data-gathering mission. The summit is set to conclude on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
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