An Uber Technologies Inc.-backed (NYSE:UBER) South African EV fleet manager, Valternative, has said that the ongoing U.S.-Israel and Iran war has accelerated EV penetration in the region.
South African Drivers Will Not Go Back to ICE Vehicles In a report by Bloomberg on Sunday, Valternative co-founder Mahomed Jeewa said that Uber had approached the company to bolster its presence in the South African market against Bolt, which is a South African ride-hailing company and is offering low-cost rides with Indian automaker Bajaj's Qute.
Read Also: Analyst Warns Gas Prices Entered Uncharted Territory Not Seen Even in 2008 While Qute offers an alternative to traditional tuk-tuks but remains powered by fossil fuels, Valternative and Uber's approach is an electric one and the Iran war is helping drive electrification in a country where infrastructure remains sparse, the report said.
Fuel costs in South Africa remain high as the conflict sends supply shocks throughout the world and Jeewa said that South African drivers or customers would not return to ICE vehicles once they "get a taste of electric," the report outlined.
A report by My Broadband on Monday, citing industry data, said that 1,903 fully-electric vehicles were sold in South Africa during the first half of the year, outlining the lack of electric mobility in the country.
