Showing the growing demand for EVs, the car sales keep rising and could reach around 17 million in 2024, accounting for more than one in five cars sold worldwide.
This was according to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) Director of Power, Dr Cosmas Chiteme (left), who delivered the keynote address at the second annual E-Mobility Summit taking place in Gqeberha.
The Summit saw electric vehicle experts, industry leaders and specialists in alternative energy solutions gathered at Nelson Mandela University’s Ocean Sciences Campus to share valuable information about industry innovations and initiatives. A number of high-value EVs are also on display by leading manufacturers such as Volvo, Tesla and Volkswagen.
The three-day event, which runs from 29-31 October, is co-hosted by the uYilo e-Mobility Programme at Mandela University and the Departments of Transport (DoT), Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), as well as the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
Dr Chiteme said electric vehicles were produced and sold in the early 1900s and are now returning to displace the combustion engine that has hugely contributed to global greenhouse gas emissions.
“In this regard, I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition for publishing the Electric Vehicles (EV) White Paper, which aims to transition the automotive industry from primarily producing internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual platform that includes electric vehicles by 2035,” he said.
“For our country to effectively leverage the opportunity presented by the growth in EV demand, we need to position ourselves to be part of the emerging EV global value chains. It is now clear that these value chains are inherently linked to Africa’s mineral endowment,” said Dr Chiteme.
He said South Africa and neighbouring countries are fortunate to have an abundance of minerals that feed into the EV value chains. These minerals include manganese, platinum group metals, cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite, to mention but a few. This provides clear opportunities for local beneficiation and the manufacturing of value-added components.”
These minerals are essential components in EV batteries and other electric vehicle technologies, establishing Africa as a key supplier for the growing EV market. Manganese for example, is a critical component in lithium-ion battery cathodes, especially in lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries, which are among the most common types used in electric vehicles.
South Africa, one of the world’s largest producers of manganese, plays a vital role in supplying this mineral. Leveraging this resource can enable African countries to capture more value within the EV supply chain, especially through local beneficiation and processing.
Dr Chiteme said his Department envisaged a full value chain for electric vehicles in the country, starting from the processing of mineral ores, producing battery precursors, manufacturing the batteries themselves, building the components and eventually assembling and producing EVs in South Africa.
“Government will also continue to invest in training programmes to develop the skills needed to support the e-mobility sector. We have much of the technology in place, as well as the policies to drive and support sustainable transport,” he emphasised.
Welcoming attendees to the University on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Professor Marshall Sheldon (left), said the Summit’s theme resonated with the institution’s vision.
“The theme ‘Enhancing the e-Mobility Value Chain for Sustainable Development in South Africa’ aligns with our University’s vision to be a dynamic African university recognised for its leadership in generating cutting edge knowledge for a sustainable future,” she said.
“Innovation aligned to sustainable development goals is a key focus area of the university's research and engagement initiatives and activities. e-Mobility aligns with the sustainable development goals (9) industry, innovation and infrastructure; (11) sustainable cities and communities; and (13) climate action.
“At Nelson Mandela University, we take pride in fostering and creating an environment that encourages, supports, and rewards vibrant research and scholarship; and a culture of innovation that promotes the commercialisation of research and engagement outputs while expanding its research and innovation partnerships and collaborations nationally and internationally.”
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor, Councillor Gary van Niekerk (left), said he hoped the Summit would help answer a question that the municipality is grappling with: how to maintain market share and become a major player in the e-mobility space.
““We need to set the agenda for exponential growth for this region by embracing new technology and actively encouraging innovation,” he said.
The Summit brings selected government and industry stakeholders together for critical and honest discussions about how South Africa supports the commercialisation of RDI technology within the e-mobility value chain, skills development and enterprise development to support South Africa’s global participation in the e-mobility value chain.
uYilo director, Dr Andrew de Vries, said a lot of intentional work has been done towards building the e-mobility ecosystem since the first E-Mobility Summit was hosted last year.
The November and December 2023 marked encouraging progress in policy direction in the new energy vehicles sector. Cabinet approved the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and the EV White Paper was published, Dr De Vries listed several achievements, among others.
“Since then, there has been several engagements and pronouncements. For example, there are incentives for original equipment manufacturers and the development of the battery and energy storage value chain as a priority area of focus, with a draft roadmap intended to be ready by the end of this calendar year,” he said.
At the recent SA Auto Week, President Cyril Ramaphosa further cemented government’s commitment to supporting the new energy vehicles sector, he added.
De Vries said the Summit aimed to foster collaboration and dialogue among government, industry, academic and civic stakeholders; and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of electric mobility in South Africa.
Over the next two days, delegates will identify key challenges and opportunities in the EV sector; to understand the importance of research, development, innovation, commercialisation and skills development within this emerging sector.
Insights and recommendations that will contribute towards policy development and implementation, will also be considered.
Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Nelson Mandela University.
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