Zero Carbon Charge

Name

Zero Carbon Charge

Legal name

Zero Carbon Charge (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://charge.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Vehicle Charging Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

EV Charging Payment & Reimbursement Programs (Public/Depot Charging) (TLABAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace) (EUAFAMAA), EV Managed Charging as Demand Response (Residential, Fleet, Workplace) (EUAFAGAL), Charging Infrastructure Components (connectors, cables, dispensers, payment/controls) (IMAGAHAH)

Keywords

• EV charging infrastructure
• Solar microgrid systems
• Fleet electrification
• Off-grid charging
• Renewable energy mobility

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. EV Charging Sessions: Usage-based revenue model where EV drivers pay per kWh for charging. Drivers download the CHARGE app, add payment method (credit/debit cards), and pay for charging sessions. R9.15 (incl VAT) per kWh. Typical EV charges from 20% to 80% within 30 minutes depending on vehicle size and battery configuration.
2. Network Partner Arrangements: Partnership model with landowners and farm stall owners who provide land for charging stations. Partners receive recurring income, increased property value, and business benefits from attracting EV drivers. Minimum 2 hectares required for CAR site, minimum 25 hectares for TRUCK site.
3. Qualified Investor Funding: The company targets institutional investors, licensed financial services providers, and high-net-worth individuals (minimum R1 million investment) for capital raising to fund national network expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zero Carbon Charge operates a national network of off-grid, solar-powered ultra-fast EV charging stations deployed along South Africa's highway corridors (N3, N12, N1). Each station uses on-site solar microgrids with battery storage to provide DC fast charging (10–80% in ~25 minutes) and AC charging for passenger EVs and heavy-duty electric trucks, independent of the Eskom grid. Customers access charging via the CHARGE mobile app, while commercial fleets are served through dedicated depot (Hub & Spoke) electrification solutions.

Product overview

Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) operates a platform-plus-modules architecture anchored by an off-grid EV charging network. The core product is the national network of solar-powered, grid-independent charging stations deployed at ~150km intervals along South Africa's national corridors (N3, N12, N1, and others). This is complemented by the CHARGE Mobile App (the consumer-facing interface for station discovery, session initiation, and payment), CityCHARGE (an urban commercial charging sub-brand), CHARGE Logistics Hub & Spoke (depot-based fleet electrification with solar charging), and a TCO & Savings Calculator (an online tool comparing EV vs. petrol total cost of ownership). The CHARGE Logistics Electric Highways module extends the offering into heavy-duty freight charging corridors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHARGE Logistics: CHARGE's heavy-duty logistics and energy platform for decarbonising South Africa's busiest freight corridors, combining solar generation, battery storage, and ultra-fast truck charging for fleet operators.
• CityCHARGE

Products and services

• CHARGE Off-Grid EV Charging Network National network of off-grid, solar-powered ultra-fast EV charging stations deployed at ~150 km intervals along South Africa's national road corridors (N3, N12, N1, and others). Stations operate independently of the Eskom grid using on-site solar microgrids and battery storage, delivering DC fast charging and AC charging for passenger EVs and heavy-duty electric trucks. Designed to enable long-distance EV travel across South Africa.
• CHARGE Mobile App Mobile application (iOS and Android) enabling EV drivers to locate CHARGE stations along their route, view real-time charger availability, initiate charging sessions by scanning a QR code at the charger, and complete secure in-app payments via credit/debit cards. Manages user accounts, payment methods, and serves as the primary interface for starting and stopping charging sessions.
• CHARGE Logistics - Electric Highways Heavy-duty freight charging platform that develops large-scale off-grid energy hubs combining solar generation, battery storage, and ultra-fast truck charging infrastructure. Delivers Energy-as-a-Service for freight operators, logistics companies, and industrial off-takers along South Africa's key national corridors.
• CHARGE Logistics - Hub & Spoke Fleet Solutions Depot-based fleet electrification solution that installs solar-powered charging hubs at fleet operators' depots under a Hub & Spoke model. Targeted at fleets with predictable daily routes within a 150 km radius, offering lower operating costs, reduced diesel price exposure, and predictable energy costs. Includes free fleet electrification analysis.
• CityCHARGE Urban charging sub-brand targeting commercial properties and business sites in cities. Installs off-grid solar microgrids with EV charging at partner locations (requiring 450+ sqm rooftop space, high foot traffic, and adequate parking) to cut energy costs, improve resilience, and generate revenue for host businesses. No upfront capital cost to partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27% lower total cost of ownership compared to diesel vehicles over five years for commercial fleets
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZimicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026Three-year agreement between Zimi and CHARGE Holdings to support rollout of electric freight operations along South Africa's N3 corridor. Partnership aims to accelerate EV logistics along one of South Africa's most critical transport routes. Michael Maas (founder of Zimi) and Andries Malherbe (co-founder of CHARGE) formalized the partnership.
• WesbankminorOthers · 17 March 2026Fleet financing partner mentioned as participant at CHARGE N3 launch event, supporting the electric mobility ecosystem in South Africa.
• Ockham CommunicationsminorOthersPublic relations firm representing Zero Carbon Charge, handling media inquiries and press release distribution. Contact: Samantha Jackson at [email protected].
• EnviroAfricaminorOthersEnvironmental consulting firm listed as an associated entity and industry partner providing environmental advisory services for CHARGE projects.
• C.Krumboll & AssociatesminorOthersLegal advisory firm listed as an associated entity and industry partner for CHARGE's network development.
• Claassen StoneminorOthersEngineering consulting firm listed as an associated entity providing expertise for CHARGE infrastructure projects.
• BauwenminorOthersTown planning firm listed as an associated entity and industry partner for CHARGE network development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WattEV: US-based company building dedicated heavy-duty truck charging infrastructure at logistics hubs along freight corridors. Directly comparable to CHARGE Logistics' focus on electrifying freight corridors with off-grid/solar-powered high-power charging for electric trucks.
• Forum Mobility: California-based company developing charging depots for heavy-duty electric trucks at port-adjacent locations. Comparable in providing depot-based charging-as-a-service for commercial fleet operators transitioning to electric trucks.
• Terawatt Infrastructure: US-based company developing charging and energy infrastructure for commercial electric fleets. Operates a hub-and-spoke model for fleet electrification similar to CHARGE Logistics, with focus on depot charging and energy supply to commercial fleet operators.
• GridCars: South Africa's largest public EV charging network operator, directly competing with Zero Carbon Charge in the same geography. GridCars focuses primarily on grid-tied AC charging in urban and suburban areas, while CHARGE differentiates through off-grid solar microgrids along corridors.

Broad incumbents

• Ionity: European high-power charging network jointly owned by major automakers, deploying 350kW stations along European motorways. Strong comparability in highway corridor positioning, ultra-fast charging speeds, and partnership-driven network expansion.
• Electrify America: Major US ultra-fast charging network with highway corridor focus, offering 150-350kW DC fast charging. Comparable in targeting long-distance EV travel along national corridors, though operates on grid-tied model rather than CHARGE's off-grid solar microgrid approach.
• Tesla Supercharger: Tesla's proprietary high-speed charging network, the global benchmark for corridor-based fast charging. While vertically integrated with Tesla vehicles, it represents the standard in ultra-fast charging experience that CHARGE aspires to match for the broader South African EV market.
• ChargePoint: One of the largest global EV charging networks with extensive Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure. While geographically focused in North America and Europe, ChargePoint represents the established public charging model that CHARGE adapts to the South African off-grid context.
• EVgo: US-based public fast charging network operator with focus on highway corridor and urban DC fast charging. Comparable in operating model (public charging stations, app-based session initiation) and target market (EV drivers needing reliable fast charging).

Others

• GreenCom Networks: Energy IoT platform enabling smart energy management including EV managed charging. While not a direct charging operator, comparable in the software/managed services layer for distributed energy resources and smart charging that underpins CHARGE's network optimization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zero-carbon-charge
• Instagraminstagram.com/charge_ev_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zero Carbon Charge