CHARGE Launches N3 EV Real-World Test in South Africa

In Short

CHARGE launched the N3 EV Real-World Test on September 9, 2026. It turns real trips between Johannesburg and Durban into a growing dataset on EV range and charging.

What Happened

South Africa’s Zero Carbon Charge, also known as CHARGE, has launched the N3 EV Real-World Test to collect real-world performance data from electric vehicles driving the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.

The goal is to create a single benchmark route so motorists and fleet operators can compare “apples with apples” over time. The project targets both passenger EVs and commercial EVs.

CHARGE says the test is meant to close a common information gap. Manufacturer range and efficiency numbers are usually measured under controlled conditions. They do not always reflect long-distance driving with South African weather, traffic, elevation changes, and driving habits.

Drivers who take part are asked to register their trip details and vehicle model, then complete the route within two months. During the trip, CHARGE will collect charging session data such as charging time, energy delivered in kWh (kilowatt-hours, a unit like “litres of fuel” for electricity), and charging speed. Participants also fill in a short questionnaire after the test.

The test uses two CHARGE charging hubs on the highway, Leeukop Padstal in the Free State and Three Towers Farm Stall near Tugela in KwaZulu-Natal. Both sites are off-grid, meaning they generate and store their own power, using solar microgrids and battery storage. CHARGE says the hubs currently offer 360 kW of charging capacity, with upgrades planned to reach 720 kW.

Participating drivers receive CHARGE credits to cover charging costs on the N3 test route. The company says the final dataset will be anonymised or aggregated so individual drivers are not identified.

Why It Matters

For fleets, the economics of switching to EVs depends on predictable range, charging time, and route planning. A standard Johannesburg to Durban benchmark could make EV buying and deployment decisions less speculative.

For the wider market, transparent charging data can also highlight where South Africa’s fast-charging network performs well, and where it still struggles.