1 How to Respond to Energy Transitions in Africa …
29
for instance, there is an ambitious target to reduce the use of internal
combustion engine vehicles by 50% by 2030. Further to this, the alternative fuels directive encourages the Member states to develop systems
which enable EVs to feed power back into the grid.
54
EVs have made their way on the African continent in countries such
as South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. In South Africa,
electric cars were introduced by Nissan Leaf in 2014. BMW later also
entered the market, introducing its i3 and i8 brands. Jaguar Land Rover
also has plans to enter the SA electric vehicle market. The brand in partnership with electric vehicle charging authority GridCars, and with an
R30-million infrastructure investment plans to invest in EV infrastructure including setting up 82 new public charging stations in the country’s
major hubs and along frequently travelled holiday routes.
55
In conclusion, there are indeed numerous initiatives to transition to
a low-carbon economy in Africa. Albeit, the crucial role of fossil fuels,
as discussed in Sects. 1.1 and 1.2, should not be underestimated on the
African continent. The global energy transition moves seem so tough
on developing countries, and as such we should consider softer options
through energy progression whereby these countries are still given a
chance to utilize their fossil fuels in an environmentally sustainable
manner.
1.5 Outline of the Book
The book reviews the current developments in the African energy sector
and highlights how they are likely to be affected by the ongoing global
efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy and tackle climate change.
The book consists of four parts, of which Part I contains four chapters
introducing the book and Part IV, comprising one chapter, provides an
54 Leal-Arcas, R., Filis, A. and Nalule, V., 2020. Energy Decentralisation and Decarbonisation.
Natural Resources Journal 60(1): 117–166.
55 Jaguar. 2019. Jaguar Launches EV Charging and Powerway Network in South Africa. https://
www.jaguar.co.za/electrification/jaguar-powerway.html; Nalule, V.R., 2020. Transitioning to a
Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave
Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions (pp. 261–286). Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham.
29
for instance, there is an ambitious target to reduce the use of internal
combustion engine vehicles by 50% by 2030. Further to this, the alternative fuels directive encourages the Member states to develop systems
which enable EVs to feed power back into the grid.
54
EVs have made their way on the African continent in countries such
as South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. In South Africa,
electric cars were introduced by Nissan Leaf in 2014. BMW later also
entered the market, introducing its i3 and i8 brands. Jaguar Land Rover
also has plans to enter the SA electric vehicle market. The brand in partnership with electric vehicle charging authority GridCars, and with an
R30-million infrastructure investment plans to invest in EV infrastructure including setting up 82 new public charging stations in the country’s
major hubs and along frequently travelled holiday routes.
55
In conclusion, there are indeed numerous initiatives to transition to
a low-carbon economy in Africa. Albeit, the crucial role of fossil fuels,
as discussed in Sects. 1.1 and 1.2, should not be underestimated on the
African continent. The global energy transition moves seem so tough
on developing countries, and as such we should consider softer options
through energy progression whereby these countries are still given a
chance to utilize their fossil fuels in an environmentally sustainable
manner.
1.5 Outline of the Book
The book reviews the current developments in the African energy sector
and highlights how they are likely to be affected by the ongoing global
efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy and tackle climate change.
The book consists of four parts, of which Part I contains four chapters
introducing the book and Part IV, comprising one chapter, provides an
54 Leal-Arcas, R., Filis, A. and Nalule, V., 2020. Energy Decentralisation and Decarbonisation.
Natural Resources Journal 60(1): 117–166.
55 Jaguar. 2019. Jaguar Launches EV Charging and Powerway Network in South Africa. https://
www.jaguar.co.za/electrification/jaguar-powerway.html; Nalule, V.R., 2020. Transitioning to a
Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave
Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions (pp. 261–286). Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham.