- The City of Johannesburg and City Power opened the charging station in Booysens on 24 March 2026, marking phase one.
- Mayor Dada Morero says battery storage and wider charging networks could cut costs, support electric buses and bring jobs locally.
Johannesburg residents could soon see more electric buses and charging points on busy roads after the city launched its first electric vehicle charging station.
The City of Johannesburg and City Power opened the station in Booysens on 24 March 2026.
The launch marks phase one of a wider plan to modernise the city’s power system and support cleaner transport.
Executive Mayor Dada Morero led the launch. He said the city wants to move faster towards clean energy and lower the cost of buying electricity.
Morero said battery storage could help the city manage high electricity prices.
He said Johannesburg buys electricity from Eskom at peak and off-peak tariffs, and the peak price is very high.
“When these costs are passed on to consumers, we face significant financial shortfalls because of infrastructure losses, which can be as high as 20%,” said Morero.
The city says the new charging network will support the growing use of electric vehicles. It also forms part of plans to invest in electric bus services across seven regions.
Morero said the city is talking to two Chinese vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders about possible local jobs.
The city and the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila, also said they want to invest more in charging infrastructure.
City Power called the project “a pioneering step towards a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable energy future for Johannesburg”.
For now, the city says the first charging points will be placed at depots and along major public roads. This is the start of a wider rollout across Johannesburg.
Pictured above: Electric charging points.
Image source: Supplied
