Nature and technology unite
Almost six years ago Londolozi unveiled its first prototype electric Land Rover. In October 2014 we were lucky enough to receive prototype number five, the All-terrain electric research vehicle from Land Rover South Africa.
In addition to the relationship we have with the land and animals, Londolozi has had one of its longest and most successful relationships with Land Rover for over 60 years. Their vehicles have been paramount in creating the Londolozi experience throughout the decades and have most certainly contributed to our success today.
We have always believed that the natural world, ancient wisdom and modern technology will be our guiding force and that nature and technology will increasingly, over time, work as one. It has been an incredible journey thinking back on how we started six years ago with Prototype 1 (which included 28 batteries!), followed by Prototype 2 (which caught on fire owing to an electrical issue!), not to mention the vision of the shareholders to allow us to continue with the project after these setbacks.
On a visit to my brother in San Diego, he took me for a test drive in a Tesla sports car. It was truly inspirational to see what fellow South African, Elon Musk, had produced and what he continues to achieve in the reusable energy and transportation space. Musk believes that he can bring affordable electric-powered vehicles to the American public within the next couple of years. It is because of his incredible vision and an untiring mind for research that Londolozi will have a far more advanced electric Land Rover (the batteries will continue to get smaller and more powerful, the solar panels to offer better efficiency and so on.
I was astounded by the performance of Prototype 5 as it cruised through areas where the traditional Land Rover would normally struggle. The diesel engine has been replaced by a 70kw, 330Nm electric motor and a 300-volt lithium iron battery that provides a range reaching just below 100km. As our vehicles are required to drive at low speeds and only cover approximately 20 to 30km per drive, this means that we would have more than enough power to conduct our daily game drives.
At Londolozi it is our vision to lead the industry in achieving a zero-emissions safari vehicle and, in the very near future, converting our entire fleet to electric vehicles. This initiative will go a long way in contributing towards Londolozi’s broader goal of dramatically reducing our impact on the natural space which we rely on as well as delivering a far richer and deeper interpretive wildlife experience.
Although the electric Land Rover is currently charged using the national power supply, our intention has always been to move to solar charging in order to be completely carbon-free.
Chris Kane-Berman is the general manager at Londolozi.
