Bolt has launched a dedicated electric vehicle category in South Africa, starting in Cape Town through a partnership with YugoRide. The ride-hailing company plans to deploy 500 EVs in the country by the end of 2026.According to the companies, the partnership aims to support scalable EV deployment through fleet management, charging infrastructure and operational support services. YugoRide will supply and manage the electric vehicle fleet operating on the platform.Bolt also said the partnership with YugoRide is intended to strengthen the wider EV ecosystem in South Africa by supporting the infrastructure and operational requirements needed for commercial electric mobility services. It emphasised that electric vehicles can improve driver economics through lower operating and maintenance costs compared to combustion-engine vehicles.The launch follows the introduction of Uber Go Electric by Uber in South Africa in late 2025, increasing competition in the country’s emerging electric ride-hailing sector. It forms part of Bolt’s wider strategy to accelerate EV adoption on the continent. The service will also be made available in other cities, with Johannesburg identified as the next city for expansion.connectingafrica.com, sundayworld.co.za