Share

Now you can charge your electric car at SA's three largest airports while you fly

accreditation
<i>Image: Twitter/Airports Company South Africa</i>
<i>Image: Twitter/Airports Company South Africa</i>

Airports Company South Africa and BMW South Africa announced the launch of BMW ChargeNow electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.

People can make use of parking bays featuring two ChargeNow stations that is able to charge four cars at a time. King Shaka International Airport has one station able to charge two cars simultaneously.

Travel convenience

The stations are conveniently located in Parkade 2 South, level 2 at O.R. Tambo International Airport, on the ground floor of Parkade 1 at Cape Town International Airport and Level ‘0’ of the Multi-Storey Parkade at King Shaka International Airport.

WATCH | Is 'power napping' the answer to the electric car charging challenge?

Airports Company South Africa will cover all electricity costs associated with the charging stations for a 12-month period.

"Our airports continue to break new ground in terms of innovation and the introduction of infrastructure that seeks to enhance the passenger experience," Airports Company South Africa Acting Chief Executive Officer Fundi Sithebe said, speaking at the launch event held at O.R. Tambo International Airport.

"We are delighted to launch the first electric vehicle charging stations at African airports. These charging bays will reduce the number one concern most electric vehicle drivers have which is range anxiety. From today, BMW EV users may drive to and from our three airports with comfort because while they travel, we will be charging their vehicles," said Sithebe.

'Heart of convenience'

"We are grateful to our partner BMW South Africa for its partnership in this initiative. With both the vehicle and air transport sectors endeavouring to reduce their environmental impacts, services such as this will play an increasing role in coming years," Sithebe added.

"These new ChargeNow stations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban are physical manifestations of the seismic change our industry is going through," says Tim Abbott, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa.

BMW charge point

                                                          Image: Twitter/Airports Company South Africa

"I’d like to thank ACSA for its vision, as integrated transport is at the heart of convenience. As the move to EVs gathers pace, I imagine we’ll see more of these partnerships. 

"We’ve been rolling out charging infrastructure across the country since we launched the BMW i3 and BMW i8 in 2015, and these charging points take our tally of BMW ChargeNow charging points to more than 60," he added.

Compiled by: Robin Classen

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE