.png){kind=logo}
In the commercial logistics and corporate fleet sectors, managing an energy transition under demanding grid realities requires a complete change in perspective. For years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been evaluated purely through the lens of moving goods from point A to point B.
Today, Zimi is redefining the vehicle entirely. We are proud to announce that Zimi has been awarded an R6 million (€280,000 / $320,000) grant from the prestigious Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP Africa Trust Fund) to pioneer the deployment of Africa’s first commercial-scale Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration project.
Hosted and managed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and backed by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, EEP Africa is a premier clean energy financier. Out of a highly competitive pool of over 530 international applicants, Zimi was selected as one of just 32 groundbreaking projects tasked with driving a climate-resilient, zero-carbon future.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology utilizes smart, bidirectional charging infrastructure. While traditional chargers only push energy from the facility or grid into a vehicle’s battery, bidirectional systems allow for a continuous, two-way flow of power.
This means that when a commercial electric delivery van or truck is parked or idle at a depot, its high-capacity battery pack can be tapped to pump clean electricity back into a corporate facility, warehouse, localized micro-grid, or the national network.
"Our project, supported by EEP Africa, positions Zimi at the forefront of energy and EV charging innovation," explains Zimi CEO Michael Maas. "V2G technology is not just about electric vehicles, it's about transforming EVs into mobile energy storage assets that enhance grid stability, drive energy efficiency, and empower a more resilient, sustainable energy future for South Africa."
For commercial operators running intensive logistics schedules, vehicle downtime at a depot is traditionally viewed as lost productivity. The introduction of V2G technology fundamentally flips this calculation.
By utilizing Zimi's bidirectional charging ecosystem paired with our proprietary cloud software core, Zeus, corporate fleets unlock an entirely new layer of energy resilience:
The Ultimate Corporate Fuel Hedge: Parked fleets act as decentralized, localized backup power plants. During periods of severe grid instability or localized outages, a company can discharge its fleet’s collective battery reserves to run heavy operations, keeping facility assembly lines and logistics hubs live without needing expensive, dirty diesel generators.
Peak Shaving and Demand Management: Enterprise operations can intelligently draw power out of their fleet vehicles during peak national electricity tariff hours to lower facility electricity bills, automatically recharging the trucks via on-site solar assets or cheaper, off-peak grid utility rates later.
The launch of this EEP-backed pilot aligns perfectly with a rapidly evolving automotive landscape in South Africa, highlighted by the arrival of vehicles featuring factory bidirectional capabilities, such as the Volvo EX90.
While everyday mass-consumer adoption of V2G will take time to mature technically and socially, Zimi is deliberately anchoring the rollout within the professional commercial space. Logistics operators run highly predictable, fixed schedules, making them the perfect launchpad for balancing large-scale grid demand.
"Perhaps the most important factor is a proven track record, something we have established through our work with major logistics providers such as Bakers Logistics," says Maas. By de-risking this advanced energy tier through international clean energy grants, Zimi is ensuring that South African fleet managers don't have to wait for the future of smart energy management. They can start leveraging it to bulletproof their operations today.
Want to discover how bidirectional fleet integration can insulate your corporate facilities from power volatility?
