As the country continues to mark Transport Month, an initiative aimed at demonstrating the viability of electric vehicles EVs for long-distance travel in South Africa has been launched.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation DSTI, in collaboration with the South African National Energy Development Institute SANEDI, the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme at Nelson Mandela University NMU, and Volvo Cars South Africa, have launched the e-Mobility Energy Drive.
The landmark initiative began over the weekend and culminates at the Uyilo e-Mobility Innovation Summit in Gqeberha which begins on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
The summit, which is being held in the Eastern Cape, is a flagship event celebrating Transport Month which is commemorated annually in October and highlights South Africa's progress toward a sustainable mobility future.
This as a fully equipped Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate is being driven from Johannesburg to Gqeberha, passing through Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape.
Along the route, the vehicle is collecting real-world data on EV performance, charging efficiency, and energy consumption.