Hermanus Event Shows Growing Interest In Electric Mobility In South Africa – CleanTechnica

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Community event bridges knowledge gap between EV technology and public understanding.

Over the past couple of years, there have been a number of emobility conferences and workshops organized by various organisations in South Africa. However, most of these events have been targeting industry professionals. EVNow, an organization founded in 2025, held an event over the past weekend that was aimed at the general public, young and old. EVNow was established to provide South African motorists, passengers, and transport operators with evidence-based information about electric vehicles and sustainable transport solutions. Through publishing initiatives and educational events, EVnow says it is committed to advancing public understanding of EV technology, with a particular emphasis on educating young people who will shape the future of transportation in South Africa.

The inaugural “EVs on Display” event, hosted by EVnow.co.za, was held at Hermanus High School, and I must say it exceeded expectations by attracting hundreds of visitors eager to experience electric transportation. I attended the event and I was delighted to see young school children as well as some retirees enthusiastically going through the exhibition. That’s how diverse the attendees were and it was just awesome. All of these people braved the chilly and windy Hermanus weather to see the latest EV technology on show. Hermanus is a small town, about 123 km southeast of Cape Town.

The event successfully showcased a comprehensive range of electric vehicles and related technologies. The event featured an impressive array of exhibits that demonstrated the breadth of electric mobility solutions available today. Stellenbosch University’s engineering faculty presented experimental EV conversions and robotics technology, while visitors could explore comprehensive energy storage solutions, solar panel installations, and various car charging systems from RenEnergy, ZIMI, Tesla, and MSPD Africa. Alucab displayed a comprehensive camping rig fitted to a BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid, featuring a canopy, rooftop tent, and awning.

If you have been to Hermanus, you would know that roads are well suited to support micromobility. If you haven’t been to Hermanus, it’s one to put on your list, especially during whale watching season. I was therefore quite excited to see that personal mobility was well represented, with displays of electric scooters, unicycles, and ebikes from GoElectric and iRoll offering visitors hands-on experience with alternative transport methods. Primary and high school students got a chance to try out the various ebikes and scooters on show. There was also something for superbike lovers. Stunning electric motorcycles from Energica and VMoto also captured significant attention alongside the four-wheeled electric vehicles that served as the main attraction for many attendees.

The range of electric vehicles available in South Africa for consumers to buy is growing all the time, and this was also clear to see at Hermanus High School. On display were an impressive lineup of electric models that demonstrated the diversity of EV technology. Standout models included the MINI Aceman, Volvo EX90, BYD Sealion 07, Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ, MG Cyberster, Tesla Model X, and Audi etron GT. The exhibition also highlighted the versatility of electric conversion technology through displays of a classic VW Beetle and a converted minibus taxi, showcasing how traditional vehicles can be transformed for sustainable transport. The minibus taxi industry is a key pillar of South Africa’s economic landscape, transporting millions of South Africans every day. With a large fleet of ICE minibuses on the road, feasibility studies into converting some of these to electric are being carried out by several institutions. 

EVNow’s EVs on Display event also showcased the practical capabilities of electric vehicles through several long-distance journeys to Hermanus. Kobus van Rensburg, whose company Electronia imports Energica motorcycles, demonstrated the reliability of commercial electric vehicles by driving a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter fully-electric panel van from Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng to the event. Adding to the long-distance showcase, Francois Malan from Enviro Auto made the journey from Gauteng in the fully-electric Riddara RD6 double cab, proving the viability of electric bakkies (pickups) for extended travel. He was joined by Ryan Jarret, who drove his electric MINI Cooper to the event. Jarrett, known for producing an electric road trip series hosted on YouTube, brought additional expertise and media attention to the show. These EV enthusiasts showed that long-distance travel across South Africa is now a very comfortable exercise, as the charging infrastructure is growing all the time and there is now a wide range of EVs available with good range to make the trips very comfortable.

The event also highlighted African vehicle innovation through the Roam Air electric motorcycle, developed in East Africa and manufactured in Nairobi, Kenya. One of these motorcycles, which was displayed at the show, had completed an extraordinary journey from Kenya to Stellenbosch with rider Stephan Lacock, a Stellenbosch University researcher. This remarkable feat was achieved using the motorcycle’s easily removable twin battery pack, charged exclusively by mobile solar panels. The Roam Air motorcycle travelled 6,000 kilometers in an unprecedented showcase of African innovation and will be powered solely by solar energy. This expedition marked the first time an African-designed electric motorcycle covered such a distance. The trip’s goal was to test the performance of Roam Air’s drivetrain, portable charging dual batteries, as well as a portable solar recharging solution. The portable solar charging solution had a 14.3 kWh Balancell DC battery and 10×545W bifacial solar panels and was transported in a support car.

The “EVs on Display” event also celebrated young talent through the EVnow Learner Challenge, a competition involving seven schools from the Overstrand area that showcased the next generation’s engagement with sustainable mobility. Connor Lewis, a matric learner from Curro Hermanus, was awarded a GoElectric NIU electric kickscooter worth R10,000 ($570) for his winning entry. Connor’s innovative web application demonstrates how prospective EV owners can calculate the amount of electricity they can generate for their vehicles using solar panels based on their geographic location. It’s a practical tool that bridges clean energy and electric mobility.

Gerrit Kruyswijk, director of EVnow, emphasised the educational objectives behind the successful event. “Our goal was for young and old to understand EVs and their advantages, and to dispel EV myths,” said Kruyswijk. “South Africa is ready for EVs right now. Its people will benefit from access to EVs, whether affordable private cars, public transport, and freight transport. It can make transport cheaper and massively reduce air pollution. And this is in spite of our electricity grid that supplies coal-generated electricity.”

Building on the overwhelming success of the inaugural EVs on Display event, EVnow plans to expand the initiative with similar events planned for 2026, potentially extending to other parts of South Africa to reach more communities nationwide. “EVnow remains committed to educating the youth about EV facts that are backed by science,” added Kruyswijk, underscoring the organisation’s dedication to evidence-based education and the development of informed future decision-makers.

Images by Remeredzai