The capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare, is poised to lead the charge in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its commitment to fostering a green energy revolution, announced the city’s Mayor, Jacob Mafume.
Mayor Mafume unveiled bold initiatives aimed at placing Harare on the map for clean energy, aligning with global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Under the City Council’s Energy policy, approvals for new service stations will now require the inclusion of clean energy equipment, such as vehicle charging ports.
Mayor Mafume emphasized the importance of integrating EV infrastructure into the city’s urban landscape, ensuring that every new service station provides charging ports for electric vehicles. This proactive approach underscores Harare’s commitment to embracing sustainable transportation alternatives and reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking about the city’s vision for promoting EV adoption, Mayor Mafume highlighted the need for strategic planning and collaboration across various sectors. “Every service station will have to have a charging port for electric vehicles going forward,” he stated.
“We are also going to add more incentives towards the use of electric cars as we go forward.”
The Mayor said that Harare aims to incentivize electric vehicle ownership by providing designated parking slots for EVs in urban areas. This initiative not only encourages residents to transition to electric transportation but also contributes to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in Harare’s bustling streets.
Harare’s vision aligns with global trends towards sustainable energy and transportation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a significant increase in electric vehicle adoption over the coming decades, with EVs accounting for a substantial portion of new vehicle sales worldwide. As countries strive to meet their climate targets and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the transition to electric mobility is becoming increasingly imperative.
Zimbabwe, like many nations, has committed to achieving the SDGs by 2030, with Goal 7 specifically focusing on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By promoting EVs and investing in clean energy infrastructure, Harare is taking proactive steps towards fulfilling this global mandate and contributing to a more sustainable future for its citizens.
Harare’s “eagerness to promote EVs signifies a paradigm shift towards sustainable transportation and energy solutions. By embracing electric mobility and integrating EV infrastructure into its urban landscape, the city is not only driving the green energy agenda forward but also positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development within the region,” Mayor Mafume said.
As Zimbabwe strives to achieve its SDGs and address the challenges of climate change, initiatives like these demonstrate the transformative power of local action in shaping a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future for all.
However calls for Zimbabwe to produce Lithium batteries which are key to the storage of energy, grow louder and louder every day.
