Tired of that clattery old diesel engine scaring the crap out of unsuspecting water buffalo? Well, a private game park in South Africa was, so they asked if Land Rover wouldn't mind coming up with an electric-powered safari tourist truck. Jaguar Land Rover South Africa obliged, and with the help of Barker Performance Products and battery manufacturer Axeon, came up with the Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept.
Replacing the usual 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel is a 58kW electric motor attached to the existing four-wheel-drive system. The lithium-ion batteries are located up front to maintain ground clearance and passenger space.
Of course, running out of electricity in the middle of Olympic Boulevard is bad enough. Imagine hitting the tortoise light in the middle of the Serengeti surrounded by Mufasa and friends. However, with a range of 50 miles (plus a 12-mile reserve), the Electric Defender should have enough juice to endure an eight-hour tourist trek at an average speed of 40 mph (three times longer than the typical tour).
While there is certainly an environmental aspect to wanting an electric-powered safari truck (giraffes like diesel exhaust even less than we do), the silent running bit is probably of even greater interest. Wildlife photographers will have an easier time of sneaking up on a rhinoceros, while tourists will be able to better enjoy the natural calm of the Serengeti without a 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel banging away.
No word on whether the Land Rover EDGVC would out-do the Electric Smart at our track, but our guess is yes. Does Arai make a pith helmet?
ed124c says:
12:15 PM, 05/11/11
Nice vehicle for hunters, also. Creep up on the animal with nearly no noise. Expensive way to kill a squirrel, though.
speedynk says:
01:49 PM, 05/12/11
Serengeti is long,long way from S.Africa
speedynk says:
01:50 PM, 05/12/11
Serengeti is long,long way from S.Africa
kevm14 says:
06:55 AM, 05/14/11
40mph for 8 hours equals 50 miles....nice. That's not new math. New math is out. EV math is in.