South African companies take the next step towards electric fleets

South Africa’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market is reaching an important stage. Government support for local manufacturing is moving into action. Charging infrastructure continues to expand. At the same time, businesses face growing pressure to improve efficiency while reducing emissions. For fleet operators, the discussion has moved beyond whether electric vehicles make sense. The focus is now on how to introduce them into daily operations. Businesses that once viewed electrification as a long term sustainability goal now see it as a practical business decision. It could affect operating costs, risk management and future competitiveness.

Government incentives support the transition

South Africa’s automotive industry has spent the past few years preparing for the country’s shift towards new energy vehicles. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Electric Vehicles White Paper identified 2026 as a key year for the transition. Government has since introduced measures to support local production. A tax incentive for manufacturers producing electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles came into effect on 1 March 2026. It will remain in place until 2036. Government is also working towards increasing local content in South African-built vehicles to 60% by 2035. It also wants more public and private sector fleets to adopt locally produced NEVs. For businesses operating large fleets, especially in logistics, retail, manufacturing and last-mile delivery, these developments provide a clearer picture of where the market is heading. “The shift we are seeing is not speculative anymore,” says Andisiwe Nikelo, CEO of WesBank Fleet Management and Leasing. “Policy, incentives and manufacturing timelines are now aligning in the same direction, and that changes the calculation for any fleet operator asking whether this is the right time to act.”

Businesses want practical answers, not promises

Despite the momentum, many fleet operators still have practical questions before making the move. They want to understand the total cost of ownership. They also need to know whether charging infrastructure will support their operations. Businesses must identify which vehicles suit specific routes and how to manage the transition without disrupting operations. These are often the questions that delay investment decisions. WesBank and FNB say they want to simplify the process. Their approach combines financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and advisory services. Instead of coordinating multiple suppliers, businesses can work through a single framework that supports the transition from planning to implementation. Electrifying a fleet is about more than replacing diesel or petrol vehicles with electric ones. The first step is understanding how the existing fleet performs. Fleet data can identify maintenance improvements and better driving behaviour. It can also show which vehicles and routes are ready for electrification. Businesses can then run pilot programmes or simulations using their own operational data. This allows them to measure potential cost savings and emissions reductions before expanding further. Once those results are available, companies can develop a long-term electrification strategy. That strategy should reflect their operational requirements and future growth plans. “Businesses do not need to solve the entire transition on day one. The pathway to fleet electrification is inherently bespoke,” says Nikelo. “What they need is a structured way to test assumptions with real data, so that every subsequent decision is grounded in their own fleet’s performance and not in a generic industry projection.”

Building confidence through EVolution

This approach forms part of EVolution, WesBank and FNB’s sustainable mobility platform. It brings together industry insights, practical tools and strategic partnerships. The goal is to help businesses navigate fleet electrification with greater confidence. Since its launch, the initiative has continued to engage fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers and industry partners. EVolution 2.0 builds on that work through workshop based sessions. These sessions guide businesses from identifying suitable use cases to planning implementation. Fleet electrification is becoming more than a sustainability initiative. It is increasingly a business decision shaped by operating costs, regulation and long-term competitiveness. Companies that build the necessary knowledge today will be better prepared as the market matures. Using operational data, pilot projects and structured planning can help businesses make informed decisions. They will also be better positioned as the cost gap between electric and internal combustion vehicles continues to narrow. For businesses managing large fleets, the opportunity extends beyond buying new vehicles. It also involves building the operational capability needed for the next generation of mobility. WesBank and FNB aim to help organisations manage that journey from planning through to implementation.