The portable electric vehicle (EV) charger landscape in South Africa is evolving rapidly, and the segmentation by current type—namely alternating current (AC) versus direct current (DC)—is becoming a key lens through which industry players are strategising. With the regional EV market still nascent but gaining traction, portable chargers provide a flexible solution for residential users, fleet operators and commercial enterprises alike. In reviewing this shift it’s illuminating to reference the detailed data from the study available at Wantstats which highlights the market size by current type for portable EV chargers in South Africa.

In the early years around 2018, the dominant share of portable EV chargers in South Africa was AC-based solutions. These units catered primarily to slower, more cost-effective charging needs—home installations, light commercial use and the initial wave of EV adopters who accepted longer overnight charges in exchange for lower up-front cost. As the EV fleet grew and users sought greater flexibility, the demand for DC portable chargers began to rise. DC portable units offer higher power throughput and faster charging, which is increasingly relevant for commercial applications and higher-spec EV models.

Over the forecast horizon up to 2030, the market size for portable chargers by current type is expected to expand significantly. AC portable chargers will continue to grow in absolute terms, driven by residential uptake and workplace rollout. However, DC portable chargers are projected to grow at a faster rate, narrowing the gap between AC and DC in percentage share. The transition reflects a maturing market where users expect shorter dwell-times and more powerful charging options, even in portable form.

Several factors underpin this shift. First, as more premium EV models enter the South African market and battery capacities increase, the limitations of low-power AC charging become more evident. Users with larger battery packs, or who need quicker turnaround times for commercial vehicles, are gravitating toward higher-power DC solutions. Second, businesses and fleet operators—logistics, ride-hailing services, shared mobility—seek portable charging infrastructure that can be deployed flexibly, including remote sites or multi-location operations. These use-cases often justify the higher cost and investment of DC units. Third, policy and infrastructure developments in South Africa are improving the enabling environment: as grid reliability improves, and support for EV charging grows, higher-power portable systems become more viable.

In practical terms, for manufacturers and service-providers targeting the South African market, differentiation by current type is important. AC portable charger offerings should appeal to cost-sensitive segments—home-owners, multi-unit residential developments, small businesses—emphasising affordability, ease of installation and compatibility with standard grid connections. Meanwhile, DC portable charger offerings should be designed for the premium growth segment—commercial fleets, multi-site deployments, high-capacity EVs and rapid-turnaround use cases. Features such as modularity, mobile deployment capability, upgraded cooling, and support for multiple connector types will enhance competitiveness.

It’s also worth noting that the portfolio mix—i.e., how much of a supplier’s sales come from AC versus DC portable solutions—is likely to change over time. Early-mover advantage in DC portable charging could yield strategic positioning benefits, given the higher margins and faster growth trajectory. At the same time, AC portable chargers will remain relevant and should not be neglected—they will serve the broad base of everyday users and form the foundation of broader adoption.

From an investor or policy-maker perspective, the current-type segmentation highlights important strategic priorities. Supporting deployment of both AC and DC portable chargers ensures broader access and flexible infrastructure. Incentivising DC portable deployments could accelerate commercial and fleet electrification, while ensuring AC portable solutions keeps residential EV adoption from being bottlenecked by cost or infrastructure availability.

In summary, the South Africa portable EV charger market by current type is at an inflection point: AC solutions continue to scale, but DC solutions are accelerating and gaining share. The interplay between residential affordability, commercial flexibility, EV battery trends and infrastructure readiness will shape how the market divides between AC and DC. Stakeholders who align their products, services and strategies with these trends—tailored by current type—are more likely to capture value in this growing market.