TCS | Everlectric CEO Ndia Magadagela on Woolies' big EV push

Loading player...
JSE-listed retailer Woolworths is moving to replace its fleet of fossil fuel-burning logistics and delivery vehicles with fully electric alternatives.
To discuss the project, and more, Duncan McLeod is joined on the TechCentral Show (TCS) by Ndia Magadagela, co-founder and CEO of South African EV-as-a-service (EVaaS) start-up Everlectric.
Everlectric, through Woolworths’ logistics partner DSV, is deploying electric panel vans to help the retailer reduce its carbon emissions.
The new vans have a 300km range from fully charged and feature “live advanced telematics” that helps improve the efficiency of the vehicles – from managing the top speed (they are governed to 120km/h) to the maximum power output.
In this episode of TCS, Magadagela talks about the Woolworths project, and why she believes the EVaaS model is suited to the local market. She also talks about:
• Her and her co-founders’ backgrounds, and how Everlectric got its start.
• The proofs of concept that the company has run.
• The logistics behind managing in an EV fleet in a country plagued by load shedding – and why it nevertheless still makes sense.
• Learnings from the Woolworths project and how it fits into the retailer’s objective to reach “net zero” carbon emissions by 2040.
• How the internet of things helps Everlectric manage its fleet.
• Everlectric’s scale-up plans over the next three to five years.
It’s a fascinating interview … don’t miss it!
24 May 2023 English South Africa Technology · Business

Other recent episodes

TCS+ | How Tracker is turning vehicle data into business strategy

Vehicle tracking has come a long way from its origins as a stolen vehicle recovery tool. Today, the data generated by connected fleets – covering driver behaviour, fuel consumption, route efficiency and real-time events – has elevated telematics from an operational afterthought to a boardroom conversation. In this episode of…
1 Jul 13 min

TCS+ | IBM Bob: an AI-powered ‘development partner’ for the enterprise

It’s been roughly 18 months since AI researcher Andrej Karpathy coined the term “vibe coding” – using natural language alongside AI tools to write and deploy code – and the market for AI coding assistants has grown rapidly since. IBM’s entry into this space is Bob, an AI-powered development assistant…
30 Jun 22 min

Watts & Wheels S1E6: ‘A flawless Alfa and a bakkie that divides’

Episode 6 of Watts & Wheels – TechCentral’s electric motoring show – sees hosts William Kelly and Duncan McLeod wade into the most opaque corner of the South African car market: tariffs, subsidies and what they really cost the people buying the cars. William opens with a deep dive into…
17 Jun 1 hr 15 min

Watts & Wheels S1E5: ‘A Bentley of the bush and a car that swims’

After a few months away, Watts & Wheels returns for the fifth episode of season 1, with William Kelly in studio and Duncan McLeod dialling in from the Southern Cape. Watch episode 5 now In episode 5, William and Duncan dive into: • The new Suzuki Across, an entry-level SUV…
8 Jun 1 hr 01 min