Eskom and BYD partner to accelerate South Africa’s electric vehicle future

Wednesday, 17 September 2025: Marking a bold step in South Africa’s move toward cleaner mobility, Eskom has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with BYD Auto South Africa on 16 September 2025, signalling its intent for future collaboration and supporting the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf — a compact, affordable all-electric vehicle (EV) that represents a major milestone in the country’s transition to sustainable transport.

Building on its own successful introduction of 20 electric vehicles and 10 charging stations for internal use, Eskom is now extending this capability to the public.

“Having successfully rolled out EVs within our fleet on 9 September 2025, we are ready to enable wider adoption by bringing practical and accessible charging infrastructure to South Africans,” said acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo.

The Dolphin Surf symbolises both affordability and accessibility, making cleaner mobility a realistic choice for South Africans. With electricity more affordable than petrol or diesel, electric vehicles not only reduce harmful emissions but also deliver significant lifetime savings for owners.

Through the MoC, Eskom and BYD will explore:

• Supporting South Africa’s national drive to decarbonise transport and position the country as a hub for EV adoption.
• The potential expansion of public charging infrastructure in key locations nationwide.
• Opportunities for local skills development, SMME participation, and job creation in the growing EV ecosystem.

Future discussions may also consider renewable-powered ultra-fast charging hubs, recycling and repurposing used EV batteries for energy storage and backup systems, and integrating EVs into Eskom’s demand-side management strategies to help balance electricity supply and demand.

“Eskom is driving into a cleaner future, not only through our investments in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, but also by enabling affordable and innovative mobility solutions for South Africans,” Mlambo added.

Eskom remains committed to delivering reliable energy today, while executing its business strategy of shaping a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive energy future for generations to come.

ENDS