SOUTH AFRICA: Mercedes recommends that authorities accelerate electric mobility
In South Africa, the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is proposing to the authorities to accelerate the development of electromobility to align with the global energy transition.
"South Africa must regulate quickly to boost demand for electric vehicles" . These are the words of the co-general manager of the local subsidiary of German automobile giant Mercedes-Benz. According to Mark Raine, there is no longer a time for hesitation in accelerating electromobility, particularly in the context of the energy crisis that has been hitting the rainbow nation for several years now.
“A concrete e-mobility policy is absolutely necessary and should be implemented as soon as possible. It would support the inevitable evolution of the automobile industry towards the energy transition with innovative solutions ,” explained Mark Raine, who heads Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa, to our colleagues at the British news agency Reuters .
In reality, the automobile group is putting pressure on the South African authorities because 90% of its production of thermal vehicles in the city of East London (Eastern Cape province) is exported mainly to Europe. However, these gasoline cars will be banned from circulation on the old continent as part of the European Union (EU) Green Deal . Thus, Mercedes-Benz wants, like most automobile multinationals, to increase their all-electric offerings.
The German brand already offers several “EQ” electric models, from 4 to 7 seats, with batteries that are powered by clean energy in dedicated public charging stations. In South Africa, it competes in this market with other manufacturers such as the Japanese Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu as well as the American Ford. Note that the automotive sector represented 7% of the South African economy in 2019 according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).
