- Mobility Rising
- Posts
- Africa is undecided on EV plugs as the charging race heats up
Africa is undecided on EV plugs as the charging race heats up
 | Egypt has announced that only the European standard CCS Type 2 chargers are permitted in the country, effectively picking their side in a war dividing global EV producers namely the EU, US, Japan and China. While EVs from these places have been trickling into Africa, the majority of African countries are yet to decide which plugs they should adopt. |
China’s GB/T is the most common charging plug in the world, estimated to be millions globally, mainly in China. Major Chinese auto firms like BYD, SAIC, Chery, and Geely use it. The EU’s CCS Type 2 plug is also used on millions of chargers globally. It is supported by major European carmakers namely BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and the US’s Ford.
Tesla’s standard is also a common plug especially in North America where it supports hundreds of thousands of chargers. Tesla’s EVs are made to use this plug. Japan’s CHAdeMO is also a popular plug and is used by its leading manufacturers Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Subaru.
Our take: A unified plug will encourage investment in Egypt’s charging infrastructure, as companies can confidently develop and deploy technologies without worrying about incompatibilities… Read more (2 min)
 | Côte d'Ivoire’s state-owned postal service company La Poste is introducing 100 electric cars and 200 electric motorcycles to its fleet to cut operational costs. This comes as delivery services are booming in Africa, and most vehicles used for deliveries still run on fuel, though that’s changing, as a growing number of delivery companies choose EVs to reduce costs. |
Electricity is typically much cheaper per unit of energy than petrol or diesel, especially in Africa where fuel prices are some of the highest in the world. Thus, the cost per kilometre for an EV is much lower than a fuel vehicle. This results in major cost savings, especially for delivery firms which make many trips daily.
For La Poste, the GO'POST project will offer a passenger transport service provided by chauffeur-driven EVs. Second, it offers a fast and eco-friendly delivery service for individuals and businesses. While the initial phase of the project involves the deployment of 100 electric cars and 200 electric motorcycles, it precedes a nationwide expansion to reach a wider customer base.
Our take: Demand for last-mile delivery services in Africa will continue to grow in the coming years, and EVs are well positioned to play a bigger role in the industry as prices drop... Read more (2 min)
Mobility events to attend by June
 | The monthly event overview by Mobility Rising showcases 10 notable energy and mobility-related events taking place across Africa in the next three months. These events reflect the continent’s accelerating commitment to sustainable transport, regional integration, and technological advancement across both public and private sectors. |
The themes range from investment and technology in rail (Africa Rail 2025) to supercharging connectivity (Transport Evolution), and showcasing fuel innovations (Afrifueling Expo) highlight a strategic shift from fragmented solutions to integrated, system-wide mobility planning.
The West Africa Automotive Show (13 May) in Lagos and AutoExpo Kenya (28 May) spotlight industry growth and B2B engagement. Both events aim to foster partnerships and promote supply chain localisation by connecting African markets with hundreds of international suppliers.
To check the list of the events, click here (2 min)
Jobs
👩🏻💼 Join Rabbit Mobility as their people & Culture Manager (Egypt)
👩🏻💻 Manage systems at Kofa as a Front End Developer (Ghana)
💼 Apply for the role of senior AP accountant at Shift EV
Various
⚡ EVNEXUS and VAULTe team completes first three swapping models in Malawi
🔋 Phoz Renewable Energy Limited completes Nigeria’s first solar EV taxi charging station
👨🏻💼 Genevieve Olivier takes the role of Managing Director at Green Riders
Seen on LinkedIn
Tokunbo Olaitan Arannilewa, CEO and Co-founder of Eonsfleet, says, “Africa doesn’t lack the need to move. It lacks integrated, reliable, and truly accessible mobility solutions.”