An electric car is a genuinely good way to explore the Western Cape. Most classic day trips from Cape Town — the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands, Hermanus — are well within a single charge, and South Africa's public charging network, while still small by European standards, is concentrated exactly where visitors drive: Cape Town, the Winelands and along the N1 and N2. This guide covers the charging networks, how to plan around range, sample routes with real distances, what load-shedding means for EVs today, and charging etiquette.
Charging networks in South Africa
There is no single national network. Instead, a handful of operators run public chargers, mostly at shopping malls, petrol-station forecourts, hotels and dealerships. As at October 2026, the names you'll meet most are:
- GridCars — one of the longest-established networks, with chargers in Cape Town, the Winelands and along the N2 towards the Garden Route. In 2026 it announced upgrades to newer 120 kW dual-connector DC chargers and new sites on major route corridors. Its app shows locations and status.
- Chargers installed by manufacturers — Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others have funded public fast chargers on major routes; Audi and its partner Rubicon have installed chargers on the N2, including at Somerset Mall and Mossel Bay.
- Zero Carbon Charge — off-grid, solar-powered fast-charging hubs. Its first hubs opened on the N3 (Johannesburg–Durban) in 2026, with the N1 named as its next priority, so it's not yet a factor on Western Cape routes.
- BYD — announced plans for a large public charging rollout in 2026.
- Destination charging — many hotels, guest houses and wine estates offer slower AC chargers for guests, which are ideal overnight.
Use a combination of the network apps and a crowd-sourced map such as PlugShare to see live status and recent check-ins. Networks change quickly, so always check before you depend on a specific charger.
Charging along the N1, N2 and R62
| Route | Charging picture | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town & Winelands | The densest coverage in the province: malls, hotels and estates | Easy — charge overnight where you sleep |
| N2 Cape Town → Mossel Bay → George | Fast chargers in the larger towns along the route, including Somerset West and Mossel Bay | Plan one top-up around the halfway point in a smaller-range car |
| N2 Garden Route (George → Plett) | Chargers in the main towns and at many accommodation options | Charge overnight; distances between towns are short |
| N1 Cape Town → Worcester and beyond | Coverage thins inland | Arrive with a buffer; know your backup charger |
| Route 62 (Montagu → Oudtshoorn) | Sparse — mostly destination AC charging | Best in a long-range EV with overnight charging booked |
Sample routes with range
Our electric fleet is the BMW iX xDrive50 (manufacturer-quoted range up to 600 km) and the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor (up to 450 km). Real-world range is lower at sustained highway speeds, in strong wind and with a full car — plan on roughly 70–80% of the quoted figure on the open road.
| Trip | Distance | Volvo EX30 | BMW iX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Peninsula loop (Chapman's Peak, Cape Point) | ≈ 160 km | No charge needed | No charge needed |
| Winelands day (Stellenbosch, Franschhoek) | ≈ 160 km | No charge needed | No charge needed |
| Hermanus and back via Clarence Drive | ≈ 240 km | No charge needed; top up overnight | No charge needed |
| West Coast National Park and back | ≈ 250 km | No charge needed; top up overnight | No charge needed |
| Cape Town → Mossel Bay (one way) | ≈ 385 km | One top-up en route | Usually direct, with a buffer |
| Garden Route, 7 days | ≈ 1,200–1,500 km | Daily overnight charging plus occasional DC top-ups | Overnight charging; few DC stops |
Both cars include unlimited kilometres with Mylz, plus the charging cables you need. The iX comes with a pre-planned charging route for longer trips. See electric car hire in Cape Town for availability.
Load-shedding and EV charging
For years, the biggest worry about EVs in South Africa was load-shedding — scheduled national power cuts. Through 2026 that has been largely absent, with Eskom reporting long runs without load-shedding, though localised outages and "load reduction" in some areas still happen.
- Some charging sites have solar and battery backup; most don't. A power cut can take a charger offline.
- Charge when you can, not when you must. Topping up to 80% at a convenient stop beats arriving somewhere empty.
- Keep a second charger in mind for every planned stop, especially on the N1 and Route 62.
- If load-shedding does return, the national schedule is published in advance — apps such as EskomSePush show times by area.
Charging etiquette and costs
- Move the car when you're done. Fast chargers are scarce; don't leave the car plugged in at 100% while you have lunch.
- Don't park in EV bays unless you're charging.
- Charge to 80% on DC. Charging slows sharply above 80%, and others may be waiting.
- Report faults to the network through its app so the next driver knows.
- Bring the right cable. Most public DC chargers have tethered cables; AC chargers often need your own Type 2 cable, which we supply.
Public DC fast charging is priced per kWh and varies by network and site; AC charging at hotels is often included or charged at a flat rate. Check prices in each network's app before plugging in. Most networks require an account and card linked in the app, so set these up before you leave Cape Town.
Is an EV right for your trip?
For city stays and day trips, absolutely — silent, effortless and you'll rarely need a public charger. For the Garden Route, an EV works well if you plan overnight charging; the iX's range makes it relaxed. For remote inland routes, gravel roads or cross-border travel, a diesel SUV is still the practical choice — read our Garden Route road trip guide for route planning, or see SUV and 4x4 hire.
Mylz Rentals
Plan your trip
Meet & greet at Cape Town International, or delivery and collection across Cape Town and the Winelands. No rental desk, no queue.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do the Garden Route in an electric car?
Yes. The N2 between Cape Town and the Garden Route towns has public fast chargers in the larger towns, and many guest houses offer overnight charging. A long-range EV like the BMW iX makes it straightforward; a smaller-range car needs a little more planning.
Where can I charge an electric car in Cape Town?
At shopping malls, some petrol stations, hotels and dealerships, run by networks such as GridCars and manufacturer-funded installations. Use the network apps and PlugShare for live locations and status.
Does load-shedding affect EV charging in South Africa?
It can, because most chargers need grid power. National load-shedding has been largely absent through 2026, but local outages still occur, so keep a backup charger in mind and top up when convenient.
How far can I drive on one charge?
Our BMW iX has a manufacturer-quoted range of up to 600 km and the Volvo EX30 up to 450 km. On the highway, plan on about 70–80% of those figures.
