EV charging
Which public EV charging networks operate in South Africa?
South Africa’s public map is a mix of national CPOs and destination hosts. GridCars is still the largest by cited footprint; SAEV Charge is drawing attention with battery-backed DC priced far below typical public DC at its Richmond Solar MD site (~R3.49/kWh vs GridCars ~R7.35, per DriveElectric). Always check the live app — counts and tariffs move.
Answer first: Use public DC for road trips and emergencies. Keep routine kilometres on home or workplace AC. No single network covers every corridor yet.
Operator snapshot (late 2026)
| Operator | What sources say | Tariff notes | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| GridCars | ~445 sites, ~650 chargers, 1 200+ connectors (Engineering News, Jan 2026); ChargePocket app | ~R7.35/kWh DC and ~R5.88/kWh AC cited via DriveElectric / MyBroadband | Largest CPO footprint; check live map for derates |
| SAEV Charge | Battery-backed DC; Richmond site at Solar MD factory; ~400-station plan over four years (company / press) | ~R3.49/kWh DC (R2.49 when battery >90%) at Richmond per DriveElectric | Unclear if those rates apply at sites without large solar+BESS |
| Rubicon Charge | 100+ public chargers claimed; Wallbox/Autel hardware | FAQ examples ~R7.00/kWh DC · ~R5.88/kWh AC (host may vary) | Host tariffs differ |
| Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) | Selected corridor / destination sites | Session pricing via app | Confirm live pins before relying on a route |
| Chargify | Many destination / lifestyle sites (company marketing) | Host-set | Live pin count not independently verified here |
| BMW Destination | Partner hotels / retail | Often free or low for guests | Availability tied to venue hours |
Station counts above are sourced claims or press figures, not a live census. Treat “unknown / confirm on map” as a feature, not a dodge.
How to choose on a trip
- Filter the app for CCS2 and the kW your car can take.
- Prefer sites with recent “available” status and, where published, battery-backed uptime.
- Budget public DC at roughly R6–R8/kWh unless the host advertises otherwise — Richmond’s ~R3.49 is the standout cheap example, not the national average.
- Carry a Type 2 cable for AC posts that are untethered.
Home is still cheaper
At metro home rates around R3.30–R4.70/kWh (2026/27 energy component), 16–18 kWh for ~100 km often lands near R53–R85 — usually below public DC and far below petrol at inland 95 prices near R30/ℓ. Full maths: cost to charge an EV in SA.
Related answers
- CCS2 vs Type 2 vs CHAdeMO
- Best home EV charger
- Workplace / destination charging
- Full EV guide
- Richmond R3.49 news