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.
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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.
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