Logistics ecosystem Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS), part of the Takealot Group, battery-electric middle-mile fleet now sources 50% to 80% of its daily charging energy from on-site solar PV, with battery storage shifting excess daytime generation into evening-charging periods at all three of its major depots, with monthly total cost of ownership (TCO) running 16% to 27% below the diesel equivalent.

TFS’s battery-electric middle-mile fleet has scaled to 28 vehicles across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. On-site solar PV now supplies 50% to 80% of the fleet’s daily charging energy, with battery storage shifting excess daytime generation into evening charging periods. On optimal days, the renewable-energy share reaches 83%, leaving as little as 17% of charging energy supplied by the grid. The fleet covers between 140 000 km and 170 000 km a month.

TFS’s countrywide battery-electric fleet has grown to 28 trucks through three expansion phases following an initial single-vehicle viability trial at its Johannesburg depot. The first expansion increased the fleet to ten trucks charged from the grid, which achieved an average monthly TCO saving of 14% compared with equivalent diesel vehicles.

The fleet subsequently expanded to 21 vehicles following the integration of on-site solar PV and battery storage. During this phase, the average monthly TCO saving increased to 16%. The best-performing month recorded a 27% saving, coinciding with a period in which solar supplied 80% of the fleet’s charging energy.

Across the current 28-vehicle fleet and supporting charging ecosystem, actual monthly TCO savings have averaged 18% against the diesel comparator. The calculation includes vehicle finance, maintenance and charging infrastructure costs. The comparison is based on actual monthly results rather than projected savings.

For a diesel-dependent fleet, the challenge is not simply the level of fuel costs but their volatility. In April 2026, the Gauteng wholesale price of 50 ppm diesel increased by R7.51/l to R26.11/l following disruption in international oil markets. Electricity customers also faced higher tariffs: the National Energy Regulator of South Africa approved an average increase of 8.76% for Eskom direct customers from April 1, 2026, and 9.01% for municipal customers from July 1,  2026. By meeting more of its charging demand with on-site solar, Takealot’s electric fleet avoided direct exposure to diesel-price movements and reduced its exposure to grid-tariff increases.

The implication for other South African fleet operators is direct: lower dependence on externally supplied energy creates greater cost predictability. A logistics operator meeting most of its charging demand through on-site renewable generation can plan against a more stable energy cost base. This supports more consistent pricing and margin planning.

“We’re excited by how quickly the electric vehicle (EV) business case is evolving. Better technology and range are unlocking new routes and corridors, while recent diesel price volatility has strengthened the financial case even further. It gives us real confidence to continue our EV roll-out ,“ said Takealot executive for logistics operations Jaco Venter.

"Any double-digit savings potential in logistics is unheard of," said charging infrastructure operator Applied Electric Vehicle Energy Reticulation Systems Africa (Aeversa) CEO Reando Potgieter.

"What this fleet has done is stabilise the most fluctuating cost base of most logistics operations. The system is self-reinforcing: savings buy solar, and solar buys more savings. A finite resource cannot compete with a resource with infinite supply on cost. Every fleet operator in South Africa should be running these numbers against their own depots."

Aeversa uses its Fleet Electrification Simulation to model each vehicle’s routes, utilisation, energy requirements and costs against an equivalent internal-combustion vehicle. The assessment combines vehicle-level TCO analysis with a depot-level transition plan covering charging infrastructure and energy requirements.

Fleet operators can learn more at www.aeversa.co.za.