Mobility

1. (a) What is the time frame for the full transition to electric cars for government use

Government Motor Transport (GMT), under the Mobility Department, has already begun its transition to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). However, this is a long-term process that requires a stepped approach to align with its operational planning, procurement cycle, and Annual Performance Plan (APP) targets.

Based on current fleet size and vehicle replacement rates, GMT has established the following long-term transition milestones, noting that these will need to be reviewed annually:

• 2.5% NEV fleet composition by 31 March 2025
• 5% by 31 March 2030
• 20% by 2040
• 80% by 2050, with the objective of achieving 100% NEV fleet composition post

2050.

1. (b) as Golden Arrow has demonstrated leadership in the electric vehicle sector, what steps is GMT taking to follow suit for government-owned vehicles and to position itself as a role model in this transition;

Golden Arrow has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly within the public transport domain. The Department commends Golden Arrow’s early adoption of battery electric buses and its sustained investment in clean transport solutions, which align with the province’s broader climate and mobility goals.

While Golden Arrow and the Government Motor Transport (GMT) operate under distinct mandates and business models, both entities share a common commitment to supporting the Western Cape’s transition to low and zero-emission transport. GMT, as the designated public fleet operator for the Western Cape Government, has adopted a similarly pioneering and systems-driven approach to the electrification of government-owned vehicles.

Key initiatives undertaken by GMT include:

• The development and adoption of the GMT Electric Vehicle Strategy, which laid the foundation for fleet decarbonisation planning in the Province.
• The establishment of the EV Pioneer Programme, which allows government officials to pilot NEVs through short-term use.
• The rollout of charging infrastructure across four strategic sites.
• Active participation in a range of intergovernmental and technical platforms, through which GMT contributes to transversal alignment and integrated policy development across energy, climate, and mobility portfolios.
• Research partnerships with universities to inform the development of a provincial NEV ecosystem, focused on behavioural change, infrastructure design, innovation, and enabling policy mechanisms.
• GMT continues to engage with private sector players including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), EV charging technology stakeholders, and companies developing alternative energy solutions to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, potential collaboration, and market readiness. These engagements are part of GMT’s effort to remain informed of industry trends and to assess viable solutions for future fleet transition support, subject to policy alignment and procurement readiness.

GMT continues to refine its strategic approach to encompass the full spectrum of  NEV technologies, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This adaptive model acknowledges the evolving realities of South Africa’s energy context, fiscal constraints, and procurement processes, while maintaining alignment with the Western Cape’s long-term decarbonisation objectives.

In doing so, GMT operates not only as a policy implementer but also as a living laboratory testing technologies, generating insights, and enabling system-wide change in support of a more sustainable and responsive government fleet.

2. Whether his Department is engaging with the private sector on the establishment of charging ports across the province; if so, (a) what are the details regarding the locations of electric vehicle charging ports across province and (b) what plans are in place to expand these facilities to accommodate the growing adoption of electric vehicles;

Yes. The Western Cape Mobility Department, through the GMT, is collaborating with the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) on the development and planned rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This partnership supports the province’s commitment to enabling NEV adoption within the government fleet, beginning with a focused rollout at selected sites.

2. (a) what are the details regarding the locations of electric vehicle charging ports across province

GMT has committed strategic funding to the development of foundational EV charging infrastructure, in alignment with its fleet decarbonisation plans and provincial energy goals. This foundational network will be deployed at four GMT aligned locations, including our Cape Town Top Yard, Maitland premises, George depot, and the Karl Bremer Hospital site, a flagship green-rated facility.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure (DOI), and is designed to address one of the key barriers to EV adoption (i.e. charging access) while aligning with the province’s broader energy resilience and sustainability goals.

2 (b) what plans are in place to expand these facilities to accommodate the growing adoption of electric vehicles

The current rollout represents the first phase of a longer-term infrastructure roadmap, aligned with GMT’s internal planning and the province’s broader energy and mobility goals. While the Department is committed to enabling scalable NEV adoption, the pace and feasibility of infrastructure expansion will be shaped by a number of critical operational factors, such as the affordability of NEV solutions for client departments and the establishment of a robust charge management system.

In the interim, GMT remains focused on consolidating the foundational phase by delivering on the initial four sites in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure while laying the groundwork for broader infrastructure readiness as enabling systems are developed.

3. Whether his Department is engaging with the private land-transport industry, such as e-hailing services and minibus taxis, on their plans to follow suit; if so, what are the relevant details?

Road transport is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in South Africa, after the energy sector, and decarbonising public transport through the introduction of electric vehicles is vital for reducing these emissions and meeting our national and provincial climate targets. The Department completed a feasibility study on introducing electric minibus taxis and is now planning to pilot the use of these vehicles in an operational setting, working with the provincial taxi industry. There are currently no electric minibus taxis available in the South African market, which is hindering progress, but we are engaging with the automotive industry and monitoring developments in the market to find solutions and proceed toward the electrification of public transport in the Western Cape.