Thabo Nkosi 
South Africa has taken a significant step toward a cleaner transportation future, as Eskom and BYD Auto South Africa signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on September 16, 2025. This partnership not only underscores the country’s commitment to sustainable mobility but also supports the introduction of the BYD Dolphin Surf, an affordable and compact all-electric vehicle (EV) designed to make clean transportation accessible to more South Africans.
Expanding EV Infrastructure for Public Use
Building on its internal adoption of electric vehicles, Eskom is now setting its focus on expanding EV capabilities for public use. The utility company recently introduced 20 electric vehicles and 10 charging stations for its fleet on September 9, 2025. With this foundation in place, Eskom aims to bring widespread EV charging infrastructure to more South Africans.
"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.
Dolphin Surf: A Milestone for Affordable Mobility
The BYD Dolphin Surf represents a breakthrough for South Africa’s EV market. Designed with affordability and accessibility in mind, the vehicle is expected to offer a more economical solution for drivers. With electricity being more cost-effective than petrol or diesel, EV owners can achieve significant lifetime savings while contributing to a reduction in harmful emissions.
Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
The partnership between Eskom and BYD Auto South Africa is poised to advance several key initiatives aimed at decarbonizing transportation across the country. Their areas of focus include:
- Supporting South Africa’s efforts to decarbonize its transportation sector and positioning the country as a leader in EV adoption.
- Exploring the expansion of public charging infrastructure in strategic locations nationwide.
- Creating opportunities for skills development, small, medium, and micro-enterprise (SMME) participation, and job creation as part of the growing EV ecosystem.
Additionally, the MoC sets the stage for future discussions on renewable-powered ultra-fast charging hubs, recycling and repurposing used EV batteries for energy storage, and integrating electric vehicles into Eskom’s demand-side management strategies to help stabilize electricity supply and demand.
Commitment to a Smarter, Cleaner Energy Future
Eskom’s strategic partnership with BYD aligns with its broader mission to innovate and modernize South Africa’s energy landscape. "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.
With this cooperation, Eskom reaffirms its dedication to delivering reliable energy today while laying the groundwork for a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive energy future for generations to come.
