Bolt expands EV category to Johannesburg with SAMTEA, BYD and industry partners

Bolt, the leading mobility platform in Africa, has expanded its Electric Vehicle (EV) category to Johannesburg in collaboration with its key partners, the South African Meter Taxi and E-Hailing Association (SAMTEA), an affiliate of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and electric-vehicle manufacturer BYD, alongside other industry stakeholders supporting the rollout.

The Johannesburg launch builds on Bolt’s EV category debut in Cape Town earlier this year and forms part of the company’s broader ambition to scale electric mobility in South Africa. Bolt is targeting a fleet of 500 electric vehicles in the country by December 2026, supporting a transition towards cleaner, more efficient urban transport.

The collaboration brings together Bolt’s technology platform, transport-sector representation and electric-vehicle expertise. It reflects a shared commitment to practical collaboration between the e-hailing and taxi sectors, demonstrating how industry stakeholders can work together to create a more inclusive, integrated and future-ready mobility ecosystem.

Graham Walker, General Manager of Bolt South Africa, said: “Johannesburg’s mobility future will be built through collaboration. This launch, alongside SAMTEA, BYD and our other industry partners, demonstrates what is possible when the e-hailing and taxi sectors come together around a shared goal: creating transport solutions that are cleaner, more efficient and more inclusive.

“Electric mobility presents an important opportunity for South Africa. It can help reduce operating and maintenance costs for driver-partners and fleet operators, while contributing to cleaner urban transport. Our focus is on making that opportunity practical and scalable through strong partnerships.”

The Johannesburg expansion also strengthens Bolt’s growing global and African EV footprint. Bolt operates electric ride categories in more than 70 cities worldwide and has introduced electric-mobility initiatives in Kenya and Nigeria, alongside its South African rollout.

South Africa remains one of Bolt’s most important markets globally. The expansion follows the company’s 10-year milestone in the country and its announcement of a R3 billion economic contribution, reflecting Bolt’s continued investment in mobility solutions that support economic participation and more sustainable cities.

Sibongiseni Shange, Chairperson of SAMTEA, said the sector must evolve to meet the needs of a changing transport landscape while preserving the foundations on which it was built.

“We must move with the times and evolve. That does not mean forgetting our roots; it means building something stronger for the next generation,” said Shange. “There was a time when meter taxis and e-hailing were viewed as competitors, particularly as the market was disrupted and different parts of the sector responded in different ways. But through continued engagement, we have begun to find one another and recognise that many of the challenges facing the industry affect all of us, including our drivers.

“For the sector to be more sustainable and offer stronger protections, operators need to be part of a formalised industry. Collaboration is essential if we are to create a transport ecosystem that protects drivers and passengers, supports business, and creates opportunity.”

By combining electric-vehicle technology with meaningful industry collaboration, Bolt and its partners aim to help build the ecosystem needed for scalable EV adoption. The initiative is designed to support driver-partners, fleet operators and passengers while advancing a transport sector in which different mobility services can coexist and contribute to South Africa’s economic and environmental priorities.