Electrogenic converts Kenyan safari Land Rovers Defenders from diesel to EV
Electrogenic has electrified three classic diesel Land Rover Defenders used by Kenya's Sarara safari lodge with its 'drop in' EV conversion kit.
The decision to switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric was taken by the Sarara wilderness conservancy and eco-lodge[1] team to keep the Defenders running through Kenya's rainy season. This time of year makes fuel deliveries difficult as the wet conditions make the region's rutted and muddy roads impassable. The conversion from ICE to electric was carried out by local mechanics, who were supported by Electrogenic[2] technicians who made the trip to the Sarara lodge from the UK.
Despite having no prior EV experience, the job was completed by the local within a fortnight. This is due to the drop-in kits[3] having pre-terminated high- and low-voltage looms, plus pre-configured parts, which eliminate the need to modify the original car's chassis and/or bodywork. 
Of the three Land Rover Defenders converted, two of them use the Oxford-based firm[4]'s E62 kit, which pairs a 62kWh battery with a 120kW electric motor to return 120 miles of range. With a CCS charger, the 62kWh unit takes around 50 minutes to charge. The third car has a 93kWh battery mated to a 150kW motor, allowing for 150 miles from a single charge.
Off-road, where speeds are lower and charge recuperated from the regenerative braking system is higher, the E93 system can achieve a 200-mile range. Despite the changes to their powertrains, none of the Defenders' legendary mud-plugging abilities have been compromised, as the conversion kits allow them to retain their transfer box, low-range transmission, and centrally-mounted differential lock. The instant torque from the electric motor allows for more precise control over the vehicle, while the regen system is configurable with hill-descent control to improve roadholding.
The Defenders are charged by the Sarara lodge's on-site solar-powered chargers. Moreover, the vehicles come with vehicle-to-grid capabilities, allowing them to export power from their charging socket to supply outposts that would otherwise rely on diesel-powered generators for power.
"The electrification of the Sarara Land Rover Defender fleet has been a truly rewarding project for all of us at Electrogenic," said Electrogenic CEO, Steve Drummond. "It's exciting to move into the African market for the first time. We're delighted to now have vehicles powered by Electrogenic driving around on four continents. This is a significant moment for us.
"It's really satisfying to see our painstakingly developed, proprietary technology, developed here in Oxford, deliver an immediate benefit for a customer thousands of miles away. The very same system is also currently being used for research by the British Army. The Sarara case study clearly demonstrates the freedom and transformative flexibility that electric drive can offer."
Situated in the wilderness of the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, the Sarara lodge is also home to the Reteti elephant orphanage. The silence of the Defenders' electric motors allows visitors to approach elephants and other wildlife such as a giraffes and big cats without disturbance.
The emissions-free nature of electric motoring also sees a reduction in pollution around the site.
Should the team at the Sarara safari lodge wish to switch back to diesel after the end of the rainy season, the nature of the Electrogenic kits would allow them to easily do so.
References
- ^ Sarara wilderness conservancy and eco-lodge (sarara.co)
- ^ Electrogenic (www.electrogenic.co.uk)
- ^ the drop-in kits (evpowered.co.uk)
- ^ the Oxford-based firm (evpowered.co.uk)