Wireless charging roads make the idea of EVs sweeter but when will Africa reach this milestone

By Hauwa Ali

Critics of Electric Vehicles (EVs) have always had issues with charging the vehicles, whichseems to betheir main problem, bringing up questions like: how easy it is to find a charging point, how fast is it to charge the vehicle and so on.

Well wireless charging roadsequipped with energy storage systems to charge electric  vehicles are here with the  first launched in Sweden recently. They are promising electric vehicle solutions by virtue of their strong advantages in time saving and reduced pressure on the existing power infrastructure.

In Sweden, the pilot project was on the holiday island of Gotland and has transformed the 1.6 km stretch of road into a wireless energy charging dock capable of powering EVs via a process called induction.

“It’s invisible, so when you look at the road, you don’t see anything,” Petra Carlenarson, project manager on the SmartRoad project, explained.

“We have the management units under the ground. That’s a big thing, for maintenance and for safety. So, I think that’s one of the biggest benefits. And also, that it doesn’t need a high effect because this is a friendlier version of charging your car while driving, and the batteries really like that”. He added.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has experienced remarkable expansion and technical development during the last decade. It is estimated that EVs will comprise 48%, 42% and 27% of light-duty vehicle sales in China, Europe and the United States, respectively, by 2030 and integrationof wireless charging roads into the existing electricity market and efficient management of the corresponding energy storage system are crucial for successful implementation of the wireless charging road systems.

Can Africa ever achieve this milestone?

Electric mobility is still in development in Africaas electric vehicles remain rare in most of Africa. The probability of finding one is about one in a million. In South Africa, which is thought to be the largest EV market on the continent, only has about 1,000 EVs out of more than 12 million vehicles on its roads.

Even fewer electric cars are in operation in most other African countries. This is because the most popular vehicles are second-hand petrol cars.

Reports estimated that about 40% of the global exports of used vehicles go to Africa. Specifically, in Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia it is estimated that the proportion reaches about 80–90% of total vehicles imported.

Unlike Europe where government policies are forcing automotive markets to embrace more climate-friendly Evs, Africa’s governments are more relaxed.

Only one African country, Cape Verde, has taken steps to phase out the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by targeting an end to imports of such vehicles by 2035.

In comparison, about 17 countries have made similar laws across Asia, Europe and America. In addition to that, many of the countries pledge to SDGs net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the shortest time possible.

Africa, bedevilled with Infrastructural challenges, – bad roads, weak electricity, and lack of public EV chargers does not seem to be ready for this transformation soon.

How can a wireless charging road system ever work on the continent?

While grids in Europe have been able to cope with electric mobility, electricity systems in many African countries are already under strain. Frequent blackouts in some countries could limit consumer demand for electric cars, as it cuts off access to transport.

For example, in Nigeria, the average access to electricity is about a cumulative 12 hours per day and there are no known public EV charging stations in the country as at now. It’s a shame for the giant of Africa.

Things are a bit better in SouthAfrica. The country is ranked fifth globally in the ratio of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers to electric vehicles in 2020. Only Korea, Chile, Mexico, and the Netherlands have more chargers per EV.

Morrocco, Kenya and Uganda are also stepping up with efforts to transition to EVs with installed installed charging stations.

However, these are just a very few out of 54 countries that are on the continent.

African governments must take the ‘save the planet’ campaign seriously andstep up efforts to Transition to EVs by setting realistic goals and putting policies in place to accelerate its transition.

African Governments must be sincere and make Judicious use of climate donations to achieve its net-zero emission target at a date not too far from that of developed countries.