SADC e-Mobility Outlook: A Zimbabwean Case Study

The document argues that Zimbabwe can overcome high transport costs and fuel shortages by transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) and micromobility. It highlights the potential for a 'campus model' of electrification in the mining sector, the use of used EV imports to lower entry barriers, and the opportunity to leverage Zimbabwe's rich deposits of battery minerals like lithium and nickel to move from mineral export to local battery manufacturing.

• Zimbabwe's transport sector is hindered by high operating costs and fuel shortages, which reduce the competitiveness of local products and limit accessibility for vulnerable groups in rural areas, where 68% of the population resides.
• The author proposes adopting a model similar to China's Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) programme to formalise the 'pirate taxi' industry, noting that small battery electric vehicles (BEVs) could cost as little as $0.70 per full charge compared to nearly $10 for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
• The mining sector is identified as a primary candidate for early electrification via a 'campus model' because mines often have dedicated power lines and are the largest electricity consumers in the country, accounting for 40% of demand.
• Zimbabwe's motor vehicle industry has declined significantly, with new vehicle sales dropping from a peak of 20,000 in 1997 to below 3,000 per year, leading to a dominance of used ICE imports from Japan and the UK.
• The document argues that used EVs should be exempted from surtaxes to encourage adoption, as they provide a more affordable entry point for consumers than new EVs.
• Zimbabwe possesses significant reserves of critical battery materials, including lithium, nickel, graphite, and phosphate, providing an opportunity to transition from exporting raw ore to local battery cell production.
• The national electricity grid has a capacity of about 2,300 MW but faces a deficit of nearly 1,000 MW during peak periods, necessitating imports from Mozambique (HCB) and South Africa (Eskom).
• Current government policies, such as the Zimbabwe Motor Industry Development Policy (2017-2030), lack a specific roadmap or definitive targets for EV adoption, with some expectations for adaptation only by 2050.
• The use of 'second life' batteries—repurposed from EVs for stationary storage—is presented as a way to promote a circular economy and lower the cost of battery generators in off-grid rural areas.

APA

KUHUDZAI, R. (2021). SADC e-Mobility Outlook: A Zimbabwean Case Study. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Occasional-Paper-318-kuhudzai.pdf

Chicago

KUHUDZAI, REMEREDZAI. SADC e-Mobility Outlook: A Zimbabwean Case Study. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2021. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Occasional-Paper-318-kuhudzai.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=KUHUDZAI |first1=REMEREDZAI |title=SADC e-Mobility Outlook: A Zimbabwean Case Study |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=March 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Occasional-Paper-318-kuhudzai.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kuhudzai2021sadc, author = {KUHUDZAI, REMEREDZAI}, title = {{SADC e-Mobility Outlook: A Zimbabwean Case Study}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Occasional-Paper-318-kuhudzai.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }