Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ethan van Diemen
Published on 2024-02-25 20:21:41
A report by the Boston Consulting Group published in March 2023 highlighted that the transport sector in South Africa is the third-largest emitting sector, responsible for almost 55 Mt CO2 emissions which contribute over 10% to the country’s national gross emissions.
During a summit, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) chief executive Tshepo Kgobe shared the agency’s plans to use its property holdings to generate renewable energy and integrate new-energy vehicles into Gautrain’s services. The agency intends to incorporate battery storage and hydrogen technology in some of its vehicles.
GMA’s fleet of 125 heavy-haul buses and 22 midibuses have the capability to be reconfigured to operate on batteries within two hours. Kgobe expressed the agency’s commitment to “greening” their operations by utilizing solar power solutions and hydrogen to power most of their buses.
Additionally, Kgobe mentioned plans to explore the possibility of developing trains into hydrogen trains as they refurbish trains beyond 2026. This initiative aligns with the agency’s goal to green its operations through the use of renewable energy sources.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis disclosed plans to expand and decarbonize the city’s public transport network. The largest infrastructure project in the Western Cape involves an R8.5-billion expansion of the MyCiti bus system using entirely electric buses. The implementation plan includes projects such as the Golden Arrow Bus Service electric bus projects and the Flex EV electric taxi project aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Cape Town.
The South African government announced plans to support new-energy vehicles in the country by introducing allowances for investments in electric vehicles starting from March 2026. Producers will be able to claim 150% of qualifying investment spending on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in the first year to encourage the production of such vehicles.
These measures are part of South Africa’s broader attempts to decarbonize its economy, as indicated in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan which prioritizes new-energy vehicles and sustainable manufacturing practices. This aligns with the country’s commitment to transitioning towards a greener future and reducing carbon emissions.
In conclusion, the initiatives and investments in renewable energy and new-energy vehicles in South Africa reflect a significant step towards achieving a sustainable and eco-friendly transportation sector. The focus on decarbonization, transition to electric vehicles, and investment in sustainable technologies demonstrate the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and paving the way for a greener future.
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