Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution to sub-Saharan Africa’s high pollution and health risks from vehicle emissions, but their adoption faces several obstacles. High costs, limited range, and unreliable electricity supply hinder progress, with only 1,000 EVs in South Africa, the region’s biggest economy, as of 2022. Local initiatives, such as electric motorcycles and public transport vehicles, have begun, but the transition demands significant investments in charging infrastructure and clean energy sources. Despite the challenges, policymakers need to prioritize incentives, adapt road regulations, and develop local manufacturing to improve the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition to reducing emissions, local EV manufacturing could reduce dependence on second-hand imports and create jobs for the region’s citizens. Ultimately, embracing the EV shift requires coordinated policy and infrastructure upgrades to support an electric mobility future for the region.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION
