Eskom and BYD Partner to Advance Affordable Electric Mobility in South Africa
Eskom has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with BYD Auto South Africa, marking a significant step toward the wider adoption of electric mobility in the country.
The agreement, signed on 16 September 2025, coincided with the launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf, a compact and affordable all-electric vehicle designed to make sustainable transport more accessible to South Africans.
The partnership builds on Eskom’s own rollout of 20 electric vehicles and 10 charging stations for its internal fleet earlier this month. The utility now intends to extend its experience to the public by expanding charging infrastructure and supporting national efforts to decarbonise the transport sector.
“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 Agnes Mlambo, Eskom’s Acting Group Executive for Distribution.
The Dolphin Surf, positioned as an affordable entry point into electric mobility, is expected to broaden access to EVs. Eskom noted that electricity remains more cost-effective than petrol or diesel, offering owners long-term financial savings while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the MoC, Eskom and BYD will explore collaboration in areas such as nationwide public charging infrastructure, skills development, small business participation, and job creation within South Africa’s growing EV ecosystem. Future discussions could also cover renewable-powered ultra-fast charging hubs, the repurposing of used EV batteries for energy storage, and integration of EVs into Eskom’s demand-side management strategies.
“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.
The agreement positions Eskom as a key player in South Africa’s transition to sustainable transport while aligning with broader national climate and energy goals.
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