Future of Fleet Symposium and Exhibition

10 September 2026

The City of Cape Town’s Fleet Management Department is hosting its Future of Fleet: Road to 2030 and Beyond Symposium and Exhibition this October.

The event will bring together government, industry, academia and mobility stakeholders to explore how innovation, new-energy technologies, infrastructure, skills and new operating models are reshaping the fleets of tomorrow. 

The symposium will feature thought leaders, practitioners, researchers and solution providers who will share knowledge, showcase emerging technologies and explore practical pathways towards cleaner, smarter, more resilient and future-ready fleet operations.

• Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 
• Time: 09:00 – 16:00 
• Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Fleet management is entering a period of significant transformation. The transition towards new-energy vehicles, increasing digitalisation, changing infrastructure requirements, new financing and procurement models, and evolving workforce capabilities are changing how organisations plan, procure, operate and manage their fleets. 

 The event will create a collaborative platform for the City and its partners to engage with industry, academia and the wider public sector on these changes and the opportunities they present. The symposium will move beyond conversations about whether fleet transformation is coming and focus on a more practical question: 

What will it take to make our fleets ready for 2030? 

Through keynote presentations, expert discussions, curated breakaway sessions and an innovation exhibition, participants will explore the systems, partnerships, technologies and capabilities required to support the transition. By bringing together the people who plan, finance, research, build, operate and regulate fleets, the symposium aims to help turn future mobility ambitions into practical pathways towards 2030 and beyond.

The symposium will combine strategic discussion with practical insight and innovation, providing delegates with opportunities to:

• Hear from leaders and experts across government, industry and academia; 
• Explore emerging trends shaping fleet and mobility towards 2030; 
• Engage with practical experiences in fleet electrification and new-energy vehicle adoption; 
• Examine the infrastructure, energy and operational requirements of future fleets; 
• Explore innovative financing, procurement and business models; 
• Consider the skills and workforce capabilities required for the transition; Participate in focused breakaway discussions aimed at identifying practical actions and opportunities for collaboration; and 
• Experience technologies, vehicles, systems and solutions through the accompanying exhibition.

The programme is centred around three interconnected themes:

Future of fleet operations

Discussions will consider the transition from traditional fleet management towards increasingly connected, data-enabled and technology-driven operations, including the practical implications of introducing new-energy vehicles into complex operational environments. 

Mobility transformation and sustainability 

The symposium will explore the role of new-energy vehicles, charging infrastructure, renewable energy, resilient depot infrastructure and broader sustainability considerations in shaping the fleet transition. 

Technological innovation 

How can emerging technologies help organisations operate safer, smarter and more efficient fleets? 

Academic institutions, industry specialists and technology providers will provide insight into developments in areas such as intelligent energy management, modelling and simulation, fleet data, automation, charging technologies and future mobility systems.

The programme will bring together perspectives from across the mobility ecosystem through: 

• Leadership and keynote addresses: Setting the strategic context for fleet transformation and Cape Town's transition towards a more sustainable and future-ready mobility environment. 
• Expert panel discussions: Bringing together representatives from government, academia and industry to examine the opportunities, challenges and practical realities associated with the transition towards 2030. 
• Curated breakaway sessions: Focused working discussions addressing some of the key enablers required to move fleet transformation from ambition to implementation. 
• Innovation and technology exhibition: A showcase of vehicles, technologies, research, infrastructure solutions and innovations contributing to the future of fleet and mobility. 

The detailed programme will be shared once finalised.

Finance, procurement and business models: Making the transition financially and commercially viable 

This session will explore the financial and procurement considerations associated with fleet transformation, including total cost of ownership, leasing and service-based models, innovative procurement approaches, charging and energy costs, and opportunities to support local industry and enterprise development. 

Energy, infrastructure and depot readiness: Preparing the infrastructure behind the fleet 

The transition to new-energy fleets extends beyond the vehicle itself. This session will examine depot and site readiness, grid capacity, charging infrastructure, renewable energy, battery storage, smart charging, energy management and the phased infrastructure investments required to support reliable fleet operations. 

Workforce transition and skills: Preparing our people for the fleet of 2030 

New technologies require new capabilities. This session will explore the skills implications of fleet transformation, including reskilling and upskilling, technical competencies, data and systems capabilities, change leadership and partnerships between government, industry and academia to develop the workforce required for the transition. 

Synthesis and direction setting: The Road to 2030 - Key Insights and Priorities 

This session will bring together the key insights emerging from the Symposium and translate them into clear priorities for the road to 2030. It will focus on consolidating the most important findings from the day, identifying priority focus areas for the NEV and Fleet Management Strategy, and considering realistic fleet and technology pathways – including which vehicle categories can transition by 2030, available technology options, technology fit and operational risk, transition sequencing and infrastructure dependencies.

The symposium will bring together leaders, researchers, practitioners and specialists from government, academia and industry. 

Speaker and panellist profiles will be shared once finalised.

The exhibition will complement the symposium discussions by bringing fleet innovation into a practical environment. 

Participating organisations will have an opportunity to showcase technologies, vehicles, research and solutions relevant to the transition towards 2030, including areas such as:

• New-energy and electric vehicles; 
• Charging and energy infrastructure; 
• Renewable and intelligent energy solutions; 
• Fleet technology and digital systems; 
• Data, modelling and research; 
• Skills development and technical training; 
• Sustainable mobility solutions; and 
• Emerging fleet technologies and services.

The exhibition will provide delegates with an opportunity to engage directly with organisations developing and implementing solutions across the future mobility ecosystem.

For further information regarding the symposium and exhibition, contact:

City of Cape Town: Fleet Management
Strategy, Planning and Coordination

Email:
Fleet.SPC@capetown.gov.za