HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has introduced new regulations governing the use, sale, and importation of electric vehicles (EVs) and their associated charging stations. The move, announced by Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo in consultation with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), aims to ensure the safety and promote the energy efficiency of EVs as their adoption increases across the country’s roads.
The comprehensive regulations mandate that all EV charging stations must be designed, installed, tested, certified, inspected, and connected in accordance with the Electricity (Public Safety) Regulations, 2018. This includes being supplied from a dedicated final sub-circuit and protected by a voltage-independent residual current device (RCD) to ensure user and public safety.
Furthermore, the new framework requires an earth continuity monitoring system that can disconnect the power supply if the earthing connection to the vehicle becomes ineffective, designed to fail safely. These regulations apply to all importers, retailers, contractors, installers, and owners of electric vehicle charging stations, marking a significant step towards integrating EVs safely into Zimbabwe’s energy landscape.
Key Players Involved
- Minister July Moyo: Energy and Power Development Minister, announced the new regulations.
- Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA): Consulted in the formulation of the regulations.
Event Timeline
- August 5, 2026: Regulations governing electric vehicles and charging stations were announced.
