Gridcars
South Africa's largest public EV charging network, GridCars manages approximately 75% of the country's public charging infrastructure across 450+ stations. It serves EV drivers via the ChargePocket app and commercial fleets, residential owners, and OEMs through hardware and software.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersPretoria, South Africa
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Gridcars does
GridCars operates South Africa's largest public electric-vehicle (EV) charging network, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Pretoria. The company holds approximately 75% share of the country's public EV charging infrastructure, operating 450+ public charging stations across Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The platform supports both AC and DC fast chargers and is integrated with the ChargePocket mobile application (available on iOS and Android), enabling drivers to locate chargers on a live map, view real-time availability, manage charging sessions, and process payments.
The technology stack includes the proprietary Local Smart Charge Controller (LSCC) for dynamic load balancing across multiple EVs without grid upgrades, a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) pilot that integrates EV chargers with renewable energy and storage so EVs can act as grid assets, and Google Maps integration for charger discovery. Products are organized around a platform-plus-modules architecture: the core national charging network, the ChargePocket app, premium residential home chargers with energy management and scheduling, commercial fleet charging solutions with lease-to-own and dynamic load balancing, and newly announced 650 kW DC truck-charging infrastructure deployed at three South African highway sites.
GridCars monetizes through usage-based fees on public charging sessions (target truck-charging pricing of R4.50–R5.50/kWh), hardware sales of commercial and home chargers, software and management services for commercial fleet customers, and professional services supporting entrepreneurs launching independent charging networks. Distribution combines direct consumer channels (website, app, social media, Google Maps) with partnership-led placements through South African fuel retailers (Total, BP, Engen, Astron, Sasol) and automotive OEMs (BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover, BYD, Jaguar). In 2026, Energex acquired a 75% majority stake to fund continued network expansion and the truck-charging vertical.
Gridcars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gridcars
- Legal name
- GridCars
- Website
- https://gridcars.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- South Africa's largest public EV charging network, GridCars manages approximately 75% of the country's public charging infrastructure across 450+ stations. It serves EV drivers via the ChargePocket app and commercial fleets, residential owners, and OEMs through hardware and software.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gridcars industry classification
Industry- Product category
- EV Charging Network Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- EV Charging Network Management & Software Services (CPMS, Monitoring, Billing) (TLAKAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace) (EUAFAMAA), EV Charging Equipment Installation & Commissioning (AC/DC, Depot/Fleet) (TLAKAMAE), EV Charging Payment & Reimbursement Programs (Public/Depot Charging) (TLABAMAK), EV Charging Hardware Manufacturing (AC/DC Chargers/Dispensers) (IMACACAE)
Keywords
Where Gridcars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pretoria
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gridcars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel
Revenue model
- Public EV Charging Sessions: Revenue is generated from EV drivers paying to charge their vehicles at GridCars public charging stations. Pricing for heavy truck charging was targeted at R4.50/kWh to R5.50/kWh. The network covers major metropolitan areas and intercity corridors across South Africa.
- Commercial and Fleet Charging Solutions: GridCars provides commercial entities with charging hardware and software solutions, including customized DC charging for logistics providers, with lease-to-own and dynamic load balancing options, generating revenue through hardware sales and software/management services.
- Home Charging Solutions: Sale of premium home EV chargers to residential customers, offering elegant, smart and connected charging with energy management and charge scheduling features.
- Entrepreneur/Independent Network Support: GridCars supports entrepreneurs in launching independent public charging networks by providing hardware, business model consulting, and backend integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Heavy truck fast charging (650 kW DC) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Gridcars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GridCars operates South Africa's largest public electric-vehicle charging network (450+ stations, ~75% of the national public charging infrastructure) and sells associated charging hardware and software. It provides the ChargePocket app for drivers to locate chargers and pay for sessions, plus home, commercial and fleet charging solutions.
Product overview
GridCars operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on the GridCars National Charging Network, South Africa's largest public EV charging network with 350+ charge points. The portfolio includes ChargePocket (a mobile app for locating chargers and managing sessions), Home Chargers (premium residential solutions), Commercial EV Charging Solutions (for fleets and businesses), and the Local Smart Charge Controller (LSCC) for dynamic load balancing. The company manages approximately 75% of South Africa's public charging network of about 700 chargers, with majority investor Energex holding a 75% stake.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ChargePocket: Mobile application enabling EV drivers to locate chargers on live map, view details, manage sessions and payments in real-time.
Products and services
- ChargePocket Mobile application (iOS and Android) enabling EV drivers to locate chargers on a live map, view charger details, and manage charging sessions and payments in real time nationwide.
- GridCars National Charging Network South Africa's largest public EV charging network with 450+ public charge points across Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, covering major metropolitan areas and intercity corridors. Drivers pay per charging session.
- Home Chargers Premium residential EV charging solutions offering smart, connected charging with energy management and charge scheduling, sold to residential EV owners.
- Commercial EV Charging Solutions Comprehensive commercial offering combining charging hardware and software for businesses, including fleet charging, DC charging facilities, lease-to-own options and dynamic load balancing for logistics providers and property owners.
- Local Smart Charge Controller (LSCC) Dynamic load balancing solution enabling multiple EVs to charge simultaneously in high-density residential estates without costly grid upgrades.
- Truck-Charging Infrastructure Fast-charging infrastructure for large electric trucks using 650 kW DC connectors deployed at three sites along major South African highways, targeting heavy logistics and long-haul trucking operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- EV running costs are roughly two-thirds that of petrol vehicles in South Africa
Companies that use Gridcars
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gridcars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Gridcars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- BMWminorBMW is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between BMW EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- VolvominorVolvo is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between Volvo EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- Mercedes-BenzminorMercedes-Benz is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between Mercedes-Benz EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- AudiminorAudi is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between Audi EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- Land RoverminorLand Rover is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between Land Rover EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- BYDminorBYD is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between BYD EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- JaguarminorJaguar is featured as a client partner on GridCars' website, indicating integration or co-marketing between Jaguar EVs and the GridCars charging network.
- TotalminorTotal fuel retail locations host GridCars charging stations, providing physical distribution across South Africa.
- SasolminorSasol is listed as a client partner, with charging infrastructure potentially deployed at Sasol fuel retail locations.
- BPminorBP fuel retail locations host GridCars charging stations, providing physical distribution across South Africa.
- EngenminorEngen fuel retail locations host GridCars charging stations, providing physical distribution across South Africa.
- AstronminorAstron fuel retail locations host GridCars charging stations, providing physical distribution across South Africa.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Gridcars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blink Charging: Multi-market EV charging equipment owner-operator with hardware sales and networked charging services across consumer, commercial, and fleet segments.
- EVgo: US-based public fast-charging network operator with a similar asset-light network management and software-led approach to serving EV drivers and commercial fleets.
- Allego: European public EV charging network operator combining owned/operated charging points with a software/CPMS platform serving both consumers and fleet customers.
- Fastned: European fast-charging network operator with a comparable model of building proprietary highway and urban charging hubs and selling energy directly to EV drivers.
- Everlectric: South African EV charging network operator and direct competitor to GridCars, focused on commercial and fleet charging solutions within the same domestic market.
- ChargePoint: Large global EV charging network operator offering networked AC/DC charging hardware and software with a comparable business model spanning consumer, fleet, and commercial segments.
Broad incumbents
- Tesla Supercharger: Largest proprietary global fast-charging network; increasingly opening to non-Tesla EVs in multiple markets and representing a potential large-scale competitive entrant to South Africa.
- BP pulse: Global EV charging arm of BP, already a GridCars fuel-retail partner, with the capability to deploy its own branded charging network at scale using its worldwide fuel-station footprint.
- TotalEnergies Charging Services: Charging services arm of TotalEnergies, a GridCars fuel-retail partner, with global ambitions in EV charging infrastructure that could either scale the partnership or substitute for GridCars.
Others
- Energex: Parent/strategic majority owner of GridCars (75% stake); a South African energy ecosystem participant whose backing underwrites GridCars' expansion into highway and truck charging.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Gridcars social profiles
Digital presenceGridcars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gridcars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Gridcars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gridcars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gridcars
What does Gridcars do?
GridCars operates South Africa's largest public electric-vehicle charging network (450+ stations, ~75% of the national public charging infrastructure) and sells associated charging hardware and software. It provides the ChargePocket app for drivers to locate chargers and pay for sessions, plus home, commercial and fleet charging solutions.
Is Gridcars a public or private company?
Gridcars is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Gridcars founded?
Gridcars was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Gridcars based?
Gridcars is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Gridcars make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public EV Charging Sessions are the primary driver. The others are commercial and Fleet Charging Solutions, home Charging Solutions and entrepreneur/Independent Network Support.
Who are Gridcars's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blink Charging, EVgo, Allego, Fastned, Everlectric and ChargePoint. Broad incumbents are Tesla Supercharger, BP pulse and TotalEnergies Charging Services. Energex is listed as an others.
Does Gridcars have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gridcars.
What industry is Gridcars in?
Gridcars's product category is EV Charging Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAMAG, EV Charging Network Management & Software Services (CPMS, Monitoring, Billing), with a secondary code of EUAFAMAA, Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace). Its NAICS code is 22112 and its SIC code is 4911.