SA’s massive electric leap as STS Tech Group launches pioneering Smart EV charging infrastructure
From pioneering South Africa’s very first floating solar plant connected to the national grid, to building Africa’s largest electric vehicle charging centre – labelled one of the best in the world by industry giants, and already growing to a class-leading 7.2 megawatts of installed EV charging capacity in Mzansi, STS Tech Group has consistently led the way in sustainable innovation.
Now, with the launch of Smart EV, its boldest electric charge to date, the company is stepping firmly into the next phase of South Africa’s electric future – delivering charging solutions that are as smart as they are scalable to power ALL South Africans into a new age of energy.
Through powerful global partnerships with Autel, Wevo, and other heavy-hitting international leaders in clean energy and smart technology, STS Tech Group and Emarel Energy are bringing cutting-edge expertise to South Africa’s roads, homes, businesses, and fleets. These collaborations place STS at the centre of the continent’s electrification drive, offering South Africans the same world-class solutions already trusted in global markets.
Smart EV – more than a product
Smart EV is more than a product, it’s a turnkey service – tailor-made and cutting edge, but also affordable and specifically geared to stand up to unique local challenges.
This includes the ability to boost charging capacity and speeds to up to 300% when grid outages loom, keeping public transport systems running during load shedding and under virtually any weather conditions.
Where fleet-scale transformation, input cost savings and positive environmental impact are a priority, as in the case with Golden Arrow, the company prides itself on a lightning-fast turnaround time – only 4 months from purchase order to the first bus charging.
According to Michael Leighton, Smart EV’s Chief Technical Officer:
“This specific project involved increasing the City of Cape Town supply from 1 MW to 3 MW, redesigning the infrastructure and metering onsite, with new EV chargers monitored through smart systems, controlled to not charge during peak times, and to manage the load to prevent any large demand peaks during charging. During daytime charging, the chargers make use of energy produced from the onsite solar.”
Tailored solutions for every client
These solutions can be tailored to any individual, business and budget. The process begins with consultation and site evaluation, followed by a complete feasibility study and engagement with regulatory bodies.
Once the groundwork is laid, Smart EV designs and engineers bespoke charging solutions that can integrate seamlessly with renewable energy sources such as solar and battery storage. Every installation is executed with precision – from procurement to civil works, commissioning, and rigorous system testing, to ultimately being supported by a smart, 24/7, off-site monitoring and management solution.
This end-to-end approach means that clients, whether they are homeowners with a single EV or large-scale fleet operators, enjoy total confidence in the performance and longevity of their investment.
Beyond EV charging
Beyond Smart EV, the company continues to deliver on its promise of smart energy, through:
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solar systems
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backup power and off-grid solutions
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smart security, providing advanced surveillance and access control for homes, businesses, industry, agriculture, mining, and government
Together, these divisions form a holistic ecosystem where energy efficiency, safety, and mobility work hand-in-hand to enable smarter living and working environments.
Scale, reliability and leadership
What gives Smart EV its edge is not only its proven record of innovation and practical answers to real-world problems, but also its scale and reliability. The company currently has more EV charging capacity than any other provider in South Africa, making it the country’s clear leader in EV infrastructure.
By combining global best-in-class technology with a deeply local understanding of energy and transport challenges, Smart EV is uniquely positioned to transform the way South Africa adapts to change, charges up and gets moving.
And the proof is in the bottom line and environmental spark too.
According to Gideon Neethling, Golden Arrow’s Company Engineer:
“With the Smart EV system in place, we aren’t only saving 63% on the energy component of our business, but we’re now using our surplus solar power wisely – joining a growing smart energy trend that also significantly reduces our carbon footprint. In addition, it was a cost-effective and seamless process, turned around in a jiff.”
Bold words from the team
“At Smart EV, we don’t follow trends, we set them. We don’t ride waves, we make them,” says Mike Pritchard, Chief Experience Officer of STS Tech Group and Smart EV.
“From floating solar arrays to powering massive fleets of electric buses, we’ve proven that innovation and scale go hand in hand. Smart EV is our bold answer to South Africa’s electric mobility challenge – harnessing powerful global tech partnerships to deliver seamless, sustainable EV infrastructure. We’re not just charging vehicles – we’re empowering people, creating jobs, and energizing a cleaner, more efficient tomorrow.”
Learn more
For more information on Smart EV and other solutions from STS Tech Group, visit smartev.group or www.sts-techgroup.com.
