Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers accessing the OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and King Shaka International Airport will be able to use the BMW ChargeNow stations based at the parking bays at the airports.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) in partnership with BMW SA unveiled EV charging stations across three of ACSA’s airports in the country, reports ITWeb.
OR Tambo International and Cape Town International Airport will each have two ChargeNow stations that accommodate up to four EVs each, while King Shaka International Airport has one ChargeNow station, able to charge two cars at a time.
The charging stations can be found at OR Tambo International Airport’s Parkade 2 South, level 2; for Cape Town International Airport go to the ground floor of Parkade 1; and at King Shaka International Airport, on Level ‘0’ of the Multi-Storey Parkade.
Speaking at the launch event held at OR Tambo International Airport on 1 November, ACSA’s acting CEO, Fundi Sithebe, stated the development was motivated by multiple factors including contributing to low carbon emissions policies and supporting innovation, in the digital economy.
Sithebe said: “Our airports continue to break new ground in terms of innovation and the introduction of infrastructure that seeks to enhance the passenger experience.
“We are delighted to launch the first EV charging stations at African airports. These charging bays will reduce the number one concern most EV drivers have, which is range anxiety. From today, BMW EV users will drive to and from our three airports with comfort because while they travel, we will be charging their vehicles.”
According to Sithebe, the airports are the first in Africa to launch public charging infrastructure.
The roll out is part of ACSA’s 2020 vision to achieve an airport of the future in line with the requirements of the fourth industrial revolution, to capitalise on the use of emerging technologies.
