The UK government has announced a R3.7 million package for skills development in the electric car sector.

In comparison to the rest of the world, South Africa is laggingwhen it comes to electric vehicles. Right now, the current electric car offerings are all high-end luxury vehicles that the average motorist cannot relate to.

Worst still, the car factories in South Africa are behind when it comes to building the latest generation of electric cars. We’re in a real danger of being left behind and if the SA factories cannot build appropriate vehicles for export, we’ll be in serious trouble.

BusinessTech reports that the UK High Commission has announced a small financial package to the tune of£190 000 (around R3.7 million) to fund new skills development in South Africa for the electric vehicle sector. Vitally, this money will be used to find research to make sure that students in South Africa will learn appropriate and sought-after skills that will be needed when electric vehicles become mainstream.

“This partnership is about supporting South Africa to achieve its own targets for decarbonisation over time, supporting a just transition and unlocking the significant investment opportunities created in a rapidly emerging low carbon global economy,” said British High Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson.

“The UK is a long-standing partner in supporting South Africa’s climate ambitions, having invested over R4.8 billion (£250 million) in International Climate Finance in South Africa between 2011 and 2021. In recent years, UK firms have been responsible for 50% of investment in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.“This week we were delighted to announce even more UK-South Africa partnerships with new support for electric vehicle training, and research into green hydrogen skills – to ensure that South African workers and young people are the major beneficiaries of the country’s transition to a greener future.”

While we don’t think electric vehicles will suddenly replace conventional internal combustion-powered vehicles overnight in South Africa, it is important that international trends and skills are passed to our learners so we keep pace on a global scale.

The Mini E, currently SA’s cheapest electric car on sale

Further Reading

Electric cars coming to SA in 2022

BMW iX – the most advanced electric car on sale in SA right now?