Angola: Sonangol to roll out 100+ EV charging points by 2028

The company is working to enhance the adoption of EVs, supporting the decarbonisation of the country’s transport industry

The national oil company in Angola is set to roll out more than 100 Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP) over the next three years. Sonangol confirmed recently that it plans to roll out the charging points as part of its broader energy transition strategy. 

The announcement was made during a Sonangol-sponsored pre-conference workshop led by Jelson Pereira, Head of the Operational Management of Energy Assets Department, Sonangol Gas and Renewable Energies.

He was speaking ahead of the Angola Oil & Gas 2025 Conference and Exhibition which concluded on Thursday (4 September) in Luanda.

Sonangol looks to help spur EV numbers across Angola

The EVCP strategy comes as Sonangol works to enhance the adoption of EVs across Angola, supporting the decarbonisation of the country’s transport industry. 

During 2024/2025, the company said it plans to establish 70 EVCPs, 30 of which are to be set up in Luanda. 

Sonangol has also launched a mobility app, which offers customers insight into EVCP infrastructure.

The EVCP strategy forms part of Sonangol’s multi-energy strategy in Angola – this encompasses the company continuing to drive hydrocarbon exploration and production, diversifying its portfolio through natural gas while pursuing alternative energy solutions such as EVs and solar. 

Increase in use of renewable energy sources in the mining sector

At the same time, the company said it is strengthening collaborations with international partners in clean energy, seeking to unlock innovative technologies to improve operations.

Sonangol also highlighted that a core feature of the company’s energy transition strategy is the rollout of solar, particularly across Angola’s mining industry. 

Historically relying on diesel-powered generators, the mining industry often faces challenges associated with high power costs, it noted. 

To address these, Sonangol plans to distribute solar across the country’s mining operations, thereby reducing costs while decarbonising the industry.

The company continues to advance its solar strategy, with Pereira reaffirming that the Quilemba solar project will start operations in 2026, bringing 35MW online in the first phase and 45MW in the second phase. 

Developed by Sonangol, energy major TotalEnergies and oil company Maurel & Prom, the project will reduce the country’s reliance on thermal power plants while supporting the diversification of the energy mix, the company said.

EV sector in Angola in its infancy

While there is no definitive data on the number of EVs on Angola’s roads, different sources put the total between 2,000 and 4,000.

Angola introduced its first EV policies in 2022, with a 50% reduction of both import tax and vehicle tax up to 2032 for EVs.

The organisation Climatescope previously reported that Angola’s EV market is “extremely immature” as the country only officially allowed these vehicles on the road from 2022. 

Cover photo:   pitinan©123rf.com