Zimi, a South African start-up specializing in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has been awarded $320,000 (R6 million) in grant funding from the Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP) Africa Trust Fund. The funding will support Zimi’s exploration and testing of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, a groundbreaking innovation that allows EVs to send electricity back to homes, businesses, or even the national grid during times of need.
This announcement couldn’t come at a more critical time for South Africa, a country grappling with frequent load shedding and grid instability that disrupt daily life and economic activity. The V2G technology has the potential to redefine how parked EVs are utilized, turning them into mobile power stations capable of providing backup energy and stabilizing the grid.
Michael Maas, CEO of Zimi, highlighted the significance of the grant. “The funding aims to investigate and understand the limitations and challenges of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, develop real-world pilot applications to test V2G in practice, and ultimately create a commercial model that operates within existing grid constraints,” he told TechCabal.
The Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP) Africa, which focuses on clean energy solutions across Southern and East Africa, selected Zimi as one of only 32 projects funded in its latest portfolio round, out of over 530 applicants. The decision underscores the potential of V2G technology in addressing energy challenges in South Africa.
Addressing Load Shedding Through Innovation
Zimi plans to partner with major logistics companies as part of its business model, helping them transition to EV fleets. This approach not only reduces operational costs and carbon emissions but also integrates V2G technology into fleet operations. By doing so, idle EVs in logistics depots could feed power back into company facilities or the grid, providing additional energy support during load shedding.
The company has already established a proven track record through collaborations with key players in the logistics industry, such as Bakers Logistics. By targeting early adopters like logistics fleets, Zimi hopes to set the stage for broader adoption of V2G technology in the future.
A Step Forward for South Africa’s EV Market
This funding announcement comes shortly after the South African launch of the Volvo EX90, one of the country’s first EVs equipped with bi-directional charging, a crucial feature for enabling V2G functionality. The growing interest in bi-directional EV capabilities signals a shift in how electric vehicles can serve dual purposes: transportation and energy storage.
Although widespread adoption by individual consumers might take time, Zimi sees this as the beginning of a larger movement. The company envisions a future where EVs and charging solutions become more affordable and accessible, making V2G technology a standard part of South Africa’s energy and transport landscape.
By merging innovation with practicality, Zimi is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable energy future in South Africa. With the backing of EEP Africa and its collaborations with leading logistics companies, the start-up is well-positioned to demonstrate the transformative potential of vehicle-to-grid technology. Stay tuned for how this project could reshape energy solutions in a load-shedding-prone nation.
(techcabal.com)
