User Requirements for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure in South Africa

Abstract

The global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a critical strategy for decarbonising the transport sector. However, the success of this transition in developing economies hinges on the deployment of user-centric charging infrastructure. This area has been underexplored in contexts marked by energy insecurity and high inequality. This study investigates the user requirements for EV charging infrastructure in South Africa, with a focus on identifying preferences, expectations, and key challenges related to accessibility, reliability, and usability. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research combines an online survey (n = 21) with in-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 10) conducted with EV users and potential adopters in major urban regions. The findings reveal a tripartite crisis shaping user experience: spatially fragmented accessibility, characterised by urban congestion and rural charging deserts; systemic reliability deficits, driven by frequent load-shedding and non-functional chargers; and economic barriers, including high costs that hinder broader adoption. User preferences strongly favour fast charging at workplaces, with a desire to integrate charging seamlessly into daily routines. Furthermore, users prioritised location, charging speed, and cost, while expressing a critical need for payment interoperability and real-time status information. The study concludes that merely expanding charging points technically is insufficient. Instead, infrastructure development must be reconceptualised as a mission of infrastructural justice, requiring a coordinated strategy that prioritises spatial equity, embeds resilience by design, and fosters economic inclusion through targeted policy incentives and public-private partnerships. These insights offer actionable guidance for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and planners aiming to accelerate an equitable and sustainable EV transition in South Africa and similar emerging economies.