Rheinmetall turns to e-cars in South Africa, aims to cut down carbon emissions

In their quest to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, Rheinmetall, has quickly moved to introduce electric vehicles and e-scooters in South Africa.

The German-based automotive and arms manufacturer is a subsidiary of Rheinmetall Denel Munition and has also unveiled e-bikes.

In a statement published on the company website, CEO of RDM Jan Patrick Helmsen, said this is an important step for the company that is based in Somerset West in the Western Cape.

After signing the United Nations Global Compact in 2021 which aims at fostering responsible, sustainable, and transparent corporate governance, the company wants to get rid of more than 350 internal combustion vehicles from the RDM fleet.

The new vehicles were unveiled by Helmsen at RDM’s main location in South Africa and they will operate there as well at Rheinmetall’s Boskop plant in Potchefstroom.

“As part of the Rheinmetall organization, which has set itself the goal of being climate neutral by 2035, RDM is supporting this ambitious objective with a masterplan that involves the implementation of solar energy and green hydrogen, which, along with other projects in the renewable energy domain, are intended to lead to climate neutrality,” he said.

“An important step here is our move away from the internal combustion engine in our fleet of vehicles, with a completely new mobility concept at all four RDM locations in South Africa.”

Echoing Helmsen’s sentiments, Armin Pappeger, the chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG, explained that they are focusing on environmental and social goals.

“Around the world, we’re focusing a lot of attention on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals,” he added.

“All over the Group, we’re committed to taking visible steps that demonstrate our sense of responsibility for the environment and society. The initiative in South Africa is just one example.”

RDM’s locations take a total of 5000 hectares and the EVs, e-bakkies, e-scooters, and e-bikes will provide mobility for the company as they will be used in the plants and for transportation needs.