ETHEKWINI Municipality kicked off Transport Month by affirming that the City is well on its way when it comes to its e-mobility journey. The City is achieving this by implementing practical steps in transport transition.

The City, through the eThekwini Transport Authority Unit, is in the process of procuring electric and hybrid vehicles for its Municipal fleet. The Unit has also planned a series of Transport Month activities to raise awareness of road safety, the City’s public transport cashless system (MUVO) and to highlight some of the services that the Unit offers the public.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba made these announcements during the second New Energy Vehicles (NEV) Indaba which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 2 and 3 October. The NEV Indaba was held in partnership with eThekwini Municipality and Mobility Solutions Africa. The inaugural Indaba was also held in Durban. This year’s event saw industry leaders, policy makers, and manufacturers meet to share ideas on economic and job creation opportunities that can be derived in the manufacturing of NEV’s.

Mayor Xaba said: “EThekwini Municipality continues to implement strategies aimed at reducing emissions and air pollution. Hosting the Indaba in Durban sends a clear message that we are now positioning the City as a major player in the NEV manufacturing space.

More importantly, we want to be a leader in the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in the country as we believe this will be one of the key contributors towards achieving the goal of building a climate resilient City.” To demonstrate the City’s readiness, two years ago eThekwini Municipality became the first metro in the country to be allowed by National Treasury and the Department of Minerals and Energy to procure new generation capacity from Independent Power Producers.

Photo caption: EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba test drove one of the electric vehicles on display at the New Vehicle Energy Indaba. Mayor Xaba said the City will continue to seize opportunities that are available in the renewable energy sector.