Integrating Smart Electric Vehicle Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Systems into Stressed Grids: Policy, Infrastructure, and Adoption Frameworks in South Africa

This paper presents a critical review of the policy, infrastructure, and adoption frameworks needed to integrate smart electric vehicle (EV) charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems into South Africa’s stressed electricity grid. Drawing from the recent peer-reviewed literature, technical reports, and international best practices, the paper examines South Africa’s EV adoption trajectory against global benchmarks, including a dedicated cross-country comparison with Kenya, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and Brazil. It analyses the operational, infrastructural, and regulatory constraints facing South Africa’s ageing, capacity-constrained grid, including the country’s public charging-station distribution, regional disparities in infrastructure rollout, household-level techno-economics of embedded solar and V2G, and Eskom’s EV pilot project as a case study of utility-led deployment. The socioeconomic and environmental implications of smart EV and V2G deployment are explored in relation to rising urban energy demands, renewable energy integration targets, and national decarbonisation goals. The paper concludes with tailored policy recommendations, derived directly from the cross-country benchmarking, and a strategic outlook to facilitate the scalable adoption of V2G and smart charging solutions in South Africa, including prioritising local manufacturing capabilities, supporting dynamic tariff structures, and aligning national energy and transport frameworks.