Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has officially begun construction on the Free State’s first off-grid, solar-powered ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station — CHARGE N3 Roadside, located near Warden on the N3 highway in the Free State.
This milestone marks a historic moment for the province, signalling the start of the Free State’s transition toward cleaner mobility, greater energy resilience, and green economic development.
CHARGE N3 Roadside, in the Phumelele Municipality, is the first project implemented of 15 planned sites under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CHARGE and the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA). The partnership aims to develop a network of renewable energy–powered EV charging stations across the province, unlocking local job creation, enabling new industries, strengthening rural and small-town economies, and supporting the province’s decarbonisation goals.
This ground-breaking moment has been made possible through a strategic equity investment of R100million by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), enabling CHARGE to begin site construction on the N3 and accelerate its national rollout of 120 fully off-grid EV charging stations nationwide. The following DBSA required sites for development will also include other sites in the Free State starting in 2026.
CHARGE Executive Chairman and Founder, Joubert Roux, said: “CHARGE N3 Roadside represents far more than a charging station — it marks the Free State’s entry into the future of green mobility. We are deeply grateful to DESTEA for their partnership, the support by the Phumelele Municipality, and to the DBSA for their belief in our vision. Together, we are not only decarbonising transport along one of South Africa’s busiest economic routes, but also creating new opportunities for jobs, skills, and economic renewal in the Free State.”
A sod-turning ceremony was held on-site, attended by provincial and municipal leadership, as well as national partners and stakeholders.
Ketso Makume, the Free State MEC for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development, welcomed the development, emphasising its alignment with Free State priorities.
“The CHARGE N3 Roadside demonstrates how innovation in renewable energy and mobility can unlock economic growth for our province. By decarbonising transport and strengthening energy resilience, this project supports our vision for a cleaner, stronger, and more competitive Free State economy. It brings jobs, skills, and new opportunities into our communities, while positioning the province at the forefront of South Africa’s clean-energy transition.”
Construction has officially commenced and is expected to be completed in 2026.
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