Globally, there is a rise in the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage systems, especially in regions where there is a lack of constant, reliable energy supply or more economically feasible solutions, Electric Vehicle Industry Association representative Carel Snyman said during a panel discussion on the second day of the Africa Energy Indaba, on Wednesday.
Spurred by the adoption of cleaner, but intermittent energy sources, declining prices and regulatory subsidies, battery energy storage systems are being increasingly used across the electric system.
The recent growth of the battery storage industry globally has prompted considerable investment, particularly in lithium-ion batteries, used in EVs, as well as in countries’ electricity grids.
The rapid development of the global EV market has seen a simultaneous rise in battery manufacturing capacity to support demand.
Sub-Saharan Africa, however, needs to revamp and modernise its transport systems to support a growing population, said Snyman.
Sector development agency GreenCape sustainable transport analyst Khanyiselo Kumalo pointed out that EV sales now contributed to about 5% of overall global vehicle sales, compared with 1% ten years ago.
While global uptake is happening at an exponential rate, the update of EVs in Africa is lagging behind, she added.
She said the biggest opportunity for South Africa, while policymakers catch up to incentivising EVs, is manufacturing in the value chain of EVs, such as batteries and charging infrastructure.
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