Puma Energy Namibia’s ambitious plans to install charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) has encountered delays.
Despite an initial target of October 2023 for two charging points, the company has yet to begin on-site installation.
“We haven’t made any on-site progress yet, as the anticipated October launch timeframe has passed,” Adell Samuelson, General Manager of Puma Energy Namibia, said to The Brief.
However, Samuelson emphasised that significant progress is being made behind the scenes.
“We are actively developing payment platform integration, designing site-specific architectural layouts, and exploring the best EV solutions,” she said.
Earlier this year, Puma Energy announced its partnership with car dealerships to introduce EV charging points across the country. The initial target routes included the South Africa-Noordoewer-Windhoek-Swakopmund Route.
Samuelson highlighted the challenges faced by both Puma and car dealerships due to the delay in charging infrastructure.
“Dealerships are hesitant to import EVs without a reliable charging network, hindering the adoption of electric vehicles,” she explained.
Despite the setbacks, Puma remains committed to its EV ambitions.
“We are actively testing the system, achieving charge speeds of 20-25 minutes,” stated Samuelson. “To enhance the customer experience during charging, we are improving our retail facilities with shade nets, standard ablutions, and upgraded shop offerings.”
The initiative aligns with current EV charging technology, where Level 2 chargers using 240V can typically charge an EV within 4-10 hours.
For comparison, Level 1 chargers using 120V require 40-50 hours for a full charge.
While the charging infrastructure is being developed, Puma is also addressing concerns surrounding payment methods.
“We are consulting with the Bank of Namibia and other financial institutions to establish a convenient and efficient billing system,” said Samuelson.-https://miningandenergy.com.na/
