The future of Cape Town’s fleet took centre stage on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, when the City of Cape Town Corporate Services Directorate and the Western Cape Government co-hosted the Future of Fleet: The Road to 2030 and Beyond Symposium and Exhibition at the DHL Stadium in Green Point. With approximately 10 000 fleet assets supporting services across the metro, the City is looking at how electric vehicles, better use of data and improved fleet planning can help deliver services more efficiently, manage public money responsibly and reduce the environmental impact of its operations. 

‘The City’s ambition is to build a fleet that serves Cape Town reliably today and is ready for the demands of tomorrow. Every investment must support that purpose: keeping essential services moving, using public resources responsibly and preparing our people for change,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.

One tangible outcome presented by the City’s Urban Mobility Executive Director, Regan Melody, was the confirmation of 38 battery-electric MyCiTi buses for the metro-south-east expansion, with final delivery scheduled by March 2027. The expansion is expected to benefit 1,4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods.

‘The City’s Urban Mobility Strategy aims for public transport and active mobility to serve 75% of all daily trips by 2050, with public transport carrying 75% of motorised trips. Reaching these ambitions requires a whole-network shift to ensure that we can keep Cape Town moving,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The exhibition component showcased the latest electric vehicle technology, tracking and monitoring devices and charging solutions. A new MyCiTi electric bus also on display.

Stellenbosch University’s Professor Thinus Booysen highlighted that successful fleet electrification involves more than just buying electric vehicles; it entails choosing vehicles that are suited to specific tasks, well-planned charging infrastructure, using reliable data as well as training technicians and fleet teams that will be essential to making the transition to electric.

‘Electric vehicles offer fleet operators an opportunity to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency over time. However, the transition needs to be carefully planned, with the right battery sizes, affordable vehicles and accessible charging infrastructure to meet the needs of different fleets,’ said the University of Cape Town’s Professor Marianne Vanderschuren.

The City’s New Energy Vehicle Adoption Plan is envisioned to help guide decisions on where and how electric vehicles can be introduced across its operations.

‘With approximately 10 000 fleet assets, Fleet Management has a significant responsibility to consider how the City can transition towards more sustainable and lower-carbon fleet solutions. This is not simply about purchasing electric vehicles, but requires careful consideration of infrastructure, operational requirements, costs, partnerships and long-term planning,’ added Alderman Uys.

The City’s Fleet Management Framework for 2025 to 2030 sets out a more customer-centric, data-driven and sustainable approach, using better planning to improve efficiency, strengthen safety and deliver greater value to residents.

During the 2025/26 financial year, Fleet Management maintained 99,04% of the fleet, supporting the reliable delivery of services across Cape Town.

‘Building the future of fleet requires us to look beyond replacing vehicles and consider the bigger picture, including how fleets are funded, operated, maintained and supported. While some challenges will take time, research and investment to address, there are practical steps we can take now through better planning, procurement and partnerships between government, fleet operators, energy providers and industry. This Tuesday’s discussions have helped strengthen the relationships needed to turn ideas into action. We are building the future of fleet together with our partners and stakeholders,’ concluded the City’s Fleet Management Director, Yaasier Ahmed.