Light riders Drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa will soon be able to charge their vehicles using renewable energy instead of relying on the national grid. Engineering News reports that a string of solar-powered EV charging stations will be built across the country starting in 2023. Anticipating that there will be as many as 1.5 million passenger and light commercial EVs on South Africa’s roads by 2032, local company Zero Carbon Charge (ZeroCC) plans to build 120 ultra-fast charging stations 150 km apart along the country’s highways and regional routes. Most of the sites will be set up at small businesses, such as farm stalls, restaurants and hotels, so EV drivers will have access to fast-charging across the country and not just in the cities. The first four charging stations will be built in the first quarter of next year. 4 October 2022 Image: Gallo/Getty Images