Hiten Parmar
The uYilo e-Mobility Programme is a decade old this year.
The programme, aimed at enabling the ecosystem for electric mobility in South Africa, was established in March, 2013, as an initiative of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
TIA is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation.
“Investing in uYilo was an ambitious forward-thinking undertaking which has paid off for all parties involved,” says TIA acting CEO Patrick Krappie.
"As a national programme, uYilo has made significant contributions, from enterprise and skills development to wider market-enabling initiatives on policies, regulations and standards in reducing market barriers for technology uptake.
“E-mobility represents an important core pillar of the Just Energy Transition,” adds Krappie.
“Through continued investments in uYilo, TIA is committed to supporting the growth of this industry,” he says.
“There have been many developments and great strides that have taken place in the past decade,” notes uYilo director Hiten Parmar.
"Much of the advancement and development of this fast-evolving industry has taken place behind the scenes.
“The groundwork in both the private and public sectors has required consultation and knowledge development on every level, in order to lay the foundation for this diverse industry that will affect and inform our lives for generations to come.”
In this past decade, uYilo has established an accredited battery testing laboratory, provided materials testing and characterisation services, and created a live testing environment for electric vehicles within the smart grid ecosystem, notes Parmar.
“We have also provided opportunities for more than 45 interns over this period, providing them in-service industry training.
“Another highlight is the annual uYilo Kick Start Fund which focuses on growing local products and services in the e-mobility space towards their commercialisation.
“A vital aspect of the transition to e-mobility is establishing local competence, expertise and industry so that we are not solely reliant on imports,” says Parmar.
These locally manufactured products and services must also find acceptance in international markets.
“South Africa cannot be an exporter of raw materials and an importer of finished product. In order to boost local employment and investment, we need to encourage and enable local industry, creating our own e-mobility ecosystem,” says Parmar.