Rosslyn, Gauteng - BMW and Nissan have agreed to work together to improve the electric car charging infrastructure in South Africa.
The two companies plan to roll out a national network of fast-charging stations from now until 2017, which will be available to owners of the Nissan Leaf and BMW's i3 and i8 models and any other electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles that the two carmakers might launch in future.
But isn't it a little bizarre to promote electric cars during South Africa's power crisis?
"It is not expected that the country's power crisis will affect this initiative in any way. The companies are also exploring renewable energy sources to power their charging grid," said a Nissan spokesperson.
Battery-powered cars have failed to live up to their initial hype globally, and even more so in South Africa, with drivers put off by the slow roll out of recharging stations, and limited range - despite generous sales incentives in some markets, excluding SA.
Because the batteries, cabling and cooling systems for electric cars cost more than a conventional combustion engine, electric vehicles have struggled to gain widespread acceptance among price-sensitive customers, particularly if the same model is available cheaper with a more conventional powertrain.
Some electric cars require lengthy charging, reducing their attractiveness for customers planning to drive longer distances frequently.
BMW and Nissan said their national network of stations where vehicles can charge their batteries will also include smaller vehicle chargers using alternating current in some regions.
"In order for the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to be successful in this market, we need to work together," Tim Abbott, managing director of BMW South Africa said.