Against this backdrop, Subilo Energy, a startup that produces and sells green and renewable energy products, has installed its first two public EV charging stations in Zambia’s capital Lusaka. Subilo Energy CEO Gregory Chama said the installation is aimed at making it easier for EV owners to access charging stations and encouraging more Zambians to buy EVs. “We conducted a study before installing the public charging stations in January 2023 and the results showed that many people are willing to buy EVs if they have access to efficient charging stations,” Chama said.

Gregory Chama, CEO of Subilo Energy Company, introduces how to use a public charging station for electric vehicles in Lusaka. Photo: Xinhua

Subilo Energy plans to install around 10 public charging stations in Lusaka in the coming years, with plans to expand to other towns and cities in Zambia, Chama said. “Zambia and other African countries are home to millions of petrol-powered vehicles, which release tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every day, contributing to global warming and extreme weather patterns. Having more EVs than petrol-powered vehicles on the road can help address these challenges,” Chama said.

Jonathan Mulinda, a Lusaka resident who owns a hybrid car, told Xinhua that he has been using Subilo Energy's public charging station for about four months now and the experience has been great. Meanwhile, Mulinda, another Lusaka resident, appreciated Subilo Energy's idea. "I also care about the environment. I know buying a hybrid car and an EV is a bit more expensive, but in the long run, it's worth it. It only costs me 9.5ZMW (about 0.49 USD) to charge my EV and I can travel 70km. Meanwhile, with a gasoline-powered car, it costs me 125ZMW," Mulinda said.

VINH AN