Traveling the green road

ROADMAP

With global energy demands on the increase, coupled with the depletion of our natural resources and the negative impact of fossil based energy sources on the environment, the issues of clean, sustainable energy have become a reality.

Energy innovation and the efficient use of energy are two key components of mitigating these challenges. This article serves as a catalyst for sustainable transport systems in supporting sustainable development that benefits our needs.

In the wake of global efforts to curb the emission of climate change impacting greenhouse gases and the emission of exhaust gases that are detrimental to human health, these are important times for South Africa to continue demonstrating to the world its capabilities.

Transport is identified as the second largest contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions both domestically and globally and hence cannot be ignored when developing policies to curb such emissions. Currently the world is in the process of greening the transport sector and South Africa is participating in these initiatives.

“The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is collaborating with the United Nations Industry Development Organization (UNIDO) to facilitate and promote the introduction of Electric Vehicles (EVs) through the South African Low-Carbon Transport Project. This project will culminate among others in the erection of EV charging infrastructure and awareness raising campaigns targeting this technology.

“However, this is not the first instance of electrifying transportation modes in South Africa, the Class 1 E electric locomotives was introduced to the market as early as mid-1920s. Continued improvement in the rail infrastructure led to the recent addition of high-speed locomotives like the Gautrain, the local manufacturing of a prototype electric car – the joule and gas-driven Bus rapid Transit Systems that South Africans are so proud of today.” - EVIA Foreword, Lionel October, DG, dti

As the world continues to urbanise rapidly, the importance of developing sustainable and smart cities is becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, this accelerated urbanisation will continue to exert pressure on resources like energy and water, as well as on the environment’s carrying capacity to absorb waste and emissions.

Mobility is a key issue in cities. Sustainable transport is vital for maintaining good air quality, reducing energy-use and greenhouse gas emissions, and enabling inhabitants to commute efficiently and according to their needs. Having adequate transport infrastructure, together with inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, is a precursor to economic development, job creation and prosperity for all.

UNIDO supports countries in jointly addressing their urban and industrial development challenges through its work in fostering sustainable cities. UNIDO’s interventions focus on promoting higher efficiency, low-carbon production throughout the vehicle manufacturing supply chain, fostering enabling policy frameworks, building and strengthening local capacities and enhancing knowledge transfer and innovation.

URBAN TRANSPORT

The focus on urban transport and clean mobility is pertinent in Africa. Its urban share is likely to be more than double by 2030 (African Development Bank, 2017). Africa is urbanising faster than any other region in the world and is undergoing a mobility revolution.

The transport sector, made up of passenger and commercial/industrial transport, dominates urban energy consumption, accounting for 60–70% of total energy consumption in metros. South African cities are some of the least dense cities in the world, giving rise to a heavy reliance on transport fuels to ensure the mobility of people and freight. Local combustion of transport fuels directly affects the levels of local air pollution of the city.

Electric vehicle (EV) is not a new invention. Electric motors have been in use as far back as the late 1800s. During these times, the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles used benzene for fuel. There were no fuel stations, but a visit to the local pharmacy got you a refill for the car. In order to start this car, you needed to crank the engine by hand. Only after the electric starter motor was developed and refueling for longer distances for the ICE car became possible, did electric cars lose their appeal. At that time, the negative impacts of the petrol car were unknown and not yet perceived as a problem.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE JOURNEY IN SOUTH AFRICA

The first oil crises during 1970s sparked the first interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and alternatives to petroleum fuels. This was evidently an energy issue presented to the country and the then Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs (DMEA). The department, together with the CSIR, researched and demonstrated the use of EVs as an alternative to imported oil.

More than 150 research papers resulted from the research and produced a few vehicles converted to electric propulsion. Although quiet, easy to drive and with no smelly pollutant, these were very slow and had a low range. What came out as highlight of the programme was the development of the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Battery Research Activity) and the Lithium ion battery technologies. The focus for this programme was on local development and commercialisation of these technologies, but as the oil crises faded so did the focus on EVs.

Yet again from 1988 - 2002 high oil prices triggered the interest in alternatives to petrol and diesel. This time it was the National Energy Council (NEC), created by the DMEA, which initiated various projects to investigate potential solutions. Ethanol, methanol and EVs were some of the alternatives considered. When the NEC closed in 1992, Eskom continued flying the flag by adopting the EV programme.

THE FUTURE LOOKS ELECTRIC FOR SOUTH AFRICA

With all the ongoing starts and stops of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, the true revival of the EV did not happen until around the start of the 21st century. Rising petrol prices and growing concern from politicians about carbon pollution have helped the drive of EVs globally.

One of the early problems which the EV consumers were still faced with was where to charge their vehicles on the go? Many countries around the world have involved their governments in helping to build public charging infrastructure.

Smart charging would make EVs an asset to the grid. Development of IT infrastructure to support a range of smart grid applications would ensure reliable service to homes and other charging locations. While we introduce electric propulsion technologies, renewables used as alternative energy generation would make sense to achieve charging efficiencies.

Both residential, as well as fast and inexpensive public charging stations need charging infrastructure.

Most EV charging take place at home overnight, but early on, accessible public charging facilities are critically important in order to increase consumer confidence. There is nothing complicated about smart charging or feeding renewable energy into electricity grids. What is challenging though is the clustering of EVs when charging – will they be evenly distributed or concentrated in specific areas – and also what will be the basic mode and power of charging?

Across the world, the history of electric mobility has been a demonstration of persistence of creativity from generation to generation on the adaptation of transportation.