10 reasons why South Africa must develop an electric vehicle sooner
South Africa no longer has reasons to delay embarking aggressively on a mission to manufacture an Electric Vehicle (EV) for the domestic and export markets.
The initiative will contribute significantly as a catalyst to advancing the country’s economic growth, create jobs and open up entrepreneurial opportunities. The time is right, stakeholders are ready, opportunities abound, while the market climate is favourable.
This is an opportune time to retrieve from the shelves projects such as the “Joule” (or another) the brainchild of Optimal Energy – an offshoot of the University of Stellenbosch, exhibited at the Paris motor show in 2008 but abandoned in 2012. Some said because it was born too early – some said it did not make “business cents” at the time.
As the economic powerhouse and leader on the continent, SA can no longer afford to address its woes with timid, half-hearted measures and reactive approach. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trudy Makhaya and the “four lions” must go for the juggernaut – unleash the country’s fullest potential, and refrain from looking up to other nations for approval. SA must avoid staying trapped in the conventional methods of addressing unconventional problems.
The country must take calculated risks, go for the total onslaught for economic development – embark on an aggressive self-propulsion forward, upward and unapologetically. A toothpick prick can never put down a raging bull elephant, symbolized by the constant negative economic growth, poverty and unemployment – one needs a powerful, high calibre weapon to execute such a tasking.
This weapon is constituted by aggressive research and development – thorough feasibility studies, marketing and advertising, domestic and international investment soliciting of unprecedented proportions. This includes adopting a proactive attitude and ridding SA of this risk-averse attitude and replace by embracing its inbred pioneering spirit.
See the list of reasons at https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/opinion/opinion-10-reasons-why-sa-must-develop-an-electric-vehicle-sooner-15980908
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OPINION: 10 reasons why SA must develop an electric vehicle sooner | IOL Business Report South Africa no longer has reasons to delay embarking aggressively on a mission to manufacture an Electric Vehicle writes Martin Matlebyane. |