City Lodge charges into the future with 8 new EV stations

City Lodge Hotels has officially unveiled electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at eight of its properties across South Africa, signalling a significant shift towards supporting the country’s burgeoning eco-friendly travel market.

The initiative, a two-year rollout in partnership with Chargify, aims to integrate sustainable infrastructure directly into the guest experience at key travel hubs.

The move addresses the evolving requirements of hybrid and electric vehicle owners who need reliable power during long-distance road trips.

COO Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo noted that the rollout is part of a broader sustainability journey aimed at reducing the group’s environmental footprint while elevating guest convenience.

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The new charging infrastructure has been designed for maximum accessibility, requiring no prior booking as drivers can simply plug in and charge upon arrival.

The technology is compatible with all new electric vehicles currently sold in the South African market.

Furthermore, the installation features AC charging points that allow travellers to utilise their own cables, while charging costs are calculated flexibly, based on the specific battery size of the vehicle and the duration of the charge.

Strategic regional coverage

The charging stations have been strategically placed across five provinces to support both business and leisure corridors.

In Gauteng, facilities are available at the Courtyard Hotels in Waterfall City and Sandton, as well as the City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood. The Free State is serviced by the City Lodge Hotel Bloemfontein, while KwaZulu-Natal features stations at the Town Lodge Umhlanga and Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg.

In the Eastern and Northern Cape, charging facilities are now live at the Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha and Road Lodge Kimberley.

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The partnership also benefits from Chargify’s rapid growth, which was established in 2023 through investment by Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

The network has quickly expanded to more than 120 charging stations nationwide.

According to Chargify CEO Kgosi Diphokwane, the collaboration allows hotel guests to be at the forefront of the “EV charging revolution” while contributing to a greener domestic travel sector.

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