SADC Automobile Futures: Towards Just E-Mobility Transitions

The report highlights the potential for e-mobility, specifically low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) and micromobility, to provide affordable transport in the SADC region. It identifies infrastructure gaps and a lack of political will as primary barriers, while suggesting that the region's strategic mineral reserves could provide global bargaining power. The author advocates for the use of existing frameworks like the SADC RISDP 2020–30 and the Green Economy Strategy to accelerate the transition and recommends that South Africa join the IEA's Electric Vehicles Initiative.

• The fastest-growing segment of the global electric vehicle sector, low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) or micromobility (two, three, and small four wheelers), offers a path to affordable mobility for millions of Africans.
• Adoption of e-mobility in the SADC region is hindered by basic infrastructure deficits, specifically regarding road maintenance and stable, affordable electricity, as well as a lack of national and regional willingness to implement adoption strategies.
• SADC member states possess significant global bargaining power due to their holdings of strategic minerals and metals essential for EV production, which could be leveraged for social-ecological investments.
• Existing regional frameworks, such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–30 and the SADC Green Economy Strategy and Action Plan, are identified as immediate opportunities for policy implementation.
• Integrating micro-shared mobility with decentralized renewable energy smart grids could drive rural job creation and reduce fossil fuel reliance through off-grid-off-road solutions.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). SADC Automobile Futures: Towards Just E-Mobility Transitions. https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-automobile-futures-towards-just-e-mobility-transitions/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. SADC Automobile Futures: Towards Just E-Mobility Transitions. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-automobile-futures-towards-just-e-mobility-transitions/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=SADC Automobile Futures: Towards Just E-Mobility Transitions |date=30 October 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-automobile-futures-towards-just-e-mobility-transitions/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020sadc, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{SADC Automobile Futures: Towards Just E-Mobility Transitions}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-automobile-futures-towards-just-e-mobility-transitions/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }