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Latest Update: February 17, 2025, at 12:46 PM
Electric Vehicle Adoption in South Africa: A Growing Trend
The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum among businesses in South Africa. Retail giant Woolworths pioneered this movement by introducing a fleet of over 40 electric vans just a few years back. Additionally, FedEx has also taken steps to integrate electric delivery vans into its operations within the country.
Innovative Solutions from Leading Companies
In a notable initiative about two years ago, the Shoprite Group unveiled heavy-duty electric trucks and introduced solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on truck roofs. This innovation supplements power needs for auxiliary systems like refrigeration units on diesel long-haul trucks.
Sustainable Refrigeration Solutions
The implementation of solar panels allows operators to turn off diesel engines while trucks are stationary — for instance, during loading and unloading processes at stores and distribution hubs. The generated solar energy can then power refrigeration systems, leading to substantial savings by reducing unnecessary diesel consumption during idling times. Since their deployment began in 2017, these solar-powered cooling units have proven effective.
Pioneering Zero-Emission Vehicles
A significant collaboration between Clicks Group and United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD), aided by Everlectric and Investec Sustainable Solutions, has birthed South Africa’s inaugural fleet of zero-emission EVs equipped with solar-powered refrigeration technology. UPD stands as a front-runner in pharmaceutical wholesale logistics across the nation—service providers for pharmacies, medical clinics, private hospitals, and retail health establishments.
Advanced Fleet with Solar Power Integration
This innovative endeavor is rolling out primarily in Gauteng and Western Cape provinces with an initial set of 42 Maxus eDeliver 3 panel vans manufactured by SAIC Maxus under Everlectric’s supply chain management.
These vehicles come fitted with cutting-edge refrigerated cargo boxes entirely powered by solar energy—a first within the industry sector.
. UPD asserts that these advances make them optimal for urban pharmaceutical logistics due to reduced weight combined with eco-friendly cooling technology.<br /> These newly introduced vans will be operated under an owner-driver model financed through Investec.</p><p><img loading='lazy' decoding='async' class='aligncenter size-large wp-image-348519' src='https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DJI<em>0451.00</em>00<em>00</em>02.Still003-800×450.jpg’ width=’800′ height=’450’/></p><h4>A Commitment to Empowering Entrepreneurs</h4><p>“Since initiating our owner-driver program back in 2003,” explained Trevor McCoy from UPD management,” we’ve witnessed consistent growth amongst independent drivers; this rollout now sees that transformative vision altering the landscape further—with nearly one-third of our EVs owned by black female entrepreneurs.”</p><p></p><blockquote><p>The importance of empowering women entrepreneurs reflects progress towards both economic transformation as well as sustainability within supply chains.</p></blockquote><p></p><p> <img loading='lazy' decoding='async' class='aligncenter size-large wp-image-348520'
src=mysqli|Error retrieving data
alt='' width=800 height=471/></p><h2>Tackling Emissions While Saving Costs</h2><p></p><div align=center>If each van achieves regular usage parameters like a range spanning between<sup><em>source</em></sup></div> </like><u>Cleanscrub Inc$$@current143</u>|af03Cprime()(303)*<em>24892034xt-rm</em>(244))————-}<|vq<em>3056|>.097545167710548d93424b6139ef39ba401fed31020370Ku09(ha0)> multiple awards throughout Europe yielding positive user feedback up until today]]]]కామేష్ వ్యాపారాన్ని విస్తృతం చేసుకోబోతున్నందున విచారించి చేర్చవచ్చు</em>SAVE_TERSISTераబాణ్నర్!!</p><div class=)
Subscribe to CleanTechnica’s daily newsletter for the latest updates or follow us on Google News!
Latest Update: February 17, 2025, at 12:46 PM
Electric Vehicle Adoption in South Africa: A Growing Trend
The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum among businesses in South Africa. Retail giant Woolworths pioneered this movement by introducing a fleet of over 40 electric vans just a few years back. Additionally, FedEx has also taken steps to integrate electric delivery vans into its operations within the country.
Innovative Solutions from Leading Companies
In a notable initiative about two years ago, the Shoprite Group unveiled heavy-duty electric trucks and introduced solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on truck roofs. This innovation supplements power needs for auxiliary systems like refrigeration units on diesel long-haul trucks.
Sustainable Refrigeration Solutions
The implementation of solar panels allows operators to turn off diesel engines while trucks are stationary — for instance, during loading and unloading processes at stores and distribution hubs. The generated solar energy can then power refrigeration systems, leading to substantial savings by reducing unnecessary diesel consumption during idling times. Since their deployment began in 2017, these solar-powered cooling units have proven effective.
Pioneering Zero-Emission Vehicles
A significant collaboration between Clicks Group and United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD), aided by Everlectric and Investec Sustainable Solutions, has birthed South Africa’s inaugural fleet of zero-emission EVs equipped with solar-powered refrigeration technology. UPD stands as a front-runner in pharmaceutical wholesale logistics across the nation—service providers for pharmacies, medical clinics, private hospitals, and retail health establishments.
Advanced Fleet with Solar Power Integration
This innovative endeavor is rolling out primarily in Gauteng and Western Cape provinces with an initial set of 42 Maxus eDeliver 3 panel vans manufactured by SAIC Maxus under Everlectric’s supply chain management.
These vehicles come fitted with cutting-edge refrigerated cargo boxes entirely powered by solar energy—a first within the industry sector.
Tags: Africa’sCleanTechnicaElectricelectric vanelectric vehiclesEverlectricfeaturingFleetgreen energyinnovative technologyLaunchPartnersrefrigerationrefrigeration vehiclessolar powerSolarpoweredSouthSouth AfricaSustainable TransportationUPDVans
