The Hydrogen South Africa programme has been instrumental in scaling up skills development initiatives in partnership with industry to build the local expertise required for new energy vehicle manufacturing, said Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of Science and Innovation.
He was addressing the Powering Alternative Mobility Solutions Indaba organised by Mobility Solutions South Africa, which took place in Durban on 19 and 20 April 2023, with government and industry participating. Other stakeholders included the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone and the Moses Kotane Institute, a research agency for the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the automotive industry expressed their commitment to building skills and expertise in new energy vehicles that would lead to a lower carbon footprint in the transportation industry.
The indaba, centred around the theme of innovative technologies enabling South Africa to realise sustainable development, focused on unlocking opportunities through research, development and innovation (RDI) in lithium-ion battery (LIB) pilot facilities, mobility in the hydrogen programme and skills development in energy storage, among other things.
South Africa's commitment to transition to low carbon transportation is supported by the Energy Storage RDI Programme implemented by the DSI. The programme is geared towards developing the LIB value chain from precursor and material development to cell and battery manufacturing and testing, validation and recycling. A fundamental element of the programme is to build skills and expertise in the country.
Dr Phil Mjwara said that, by coordinating the national system of innovation and supporting various RDI initiatives, the DSI aimed to support new sources of growth in various sectors of the economy such as energy and mobility.
He explained that the creation of new industries anchored in locally developed intellectual property would assist South African companies to remain globally competitive.
"Energy RDI programmes support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, while contributing to a more diverse and sustainable energy mix by enabling the widespread commercialisation of battery, fuel cell, renewable and net zero carbon technologies," he added.
While battery prices have decreased significantly over the past decade because of advances in technology, they still account for 40% to 50% of the overall cost of an electric vehicle. Battery technology is therefore at the core of sustainable development and enhancing people's quality of life through the electrification of urban public transport.
Global developments in the mobility sector present South Africa with an opportunity to reposition its automotive manufacturing industry to incorporate new electric vehicles.
The Director-General of Minerals and Energy, Mr Jacob Mbele, assured the delegates that the government's position on new electric vehicles and hydrogen innovation was beginning to take shape. He cited the Green Transport Strategy for South Africa (2018-2050), published by the Department of Transport, and the DSI's Hydrogen Society Roadmap.
Leading car manufacturers exhibited vehicles with a low carbon footprint during the event. Other sustainable mobility products such as hydrogen-powered scooters were also on display.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles are gaining traction because of their low emissions profile. LIBs are a leading technology in BEVs as well as stationary energy storage applications.
For media enquiries:
Ernest Mulibana on 082 263 7372 or Ernest.Mulibana@dmre.gov.za
Thabang Setlhare on 072 659 9690 or Thabang.Setlhare@dst.gov.za
Issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Department of Science and Innovation.