Chobe unveils first electric game drive vehicle

A South African company called Freedom Won has cleverly converted the vehicle from fuel to electric powered. Instead of using the normal diesel or petrol fuels, the EV is fitted with electric motor and batteries, which are charged after the vehicle travels an average distance of 100km.

The Land Rover Defender 130, now called “Freedom 3” (because it was the third vehicle at Freedom Won to be converted to electric, in August 2014) was the pioneer game drive EV. Another EV, Freedom 5, will be launched in February 2015. Freedom Won has also delivered a game viewing boat dubbed Freedom 4. It was converted in September 2014.  Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Chobe Game Lodge general manager, Johan Bruwer, said the introduction of electric vehicles and boats was in line with their sustainable eco-tourism strategy, which had led them to partner with Freedom Won. He added that they would convert 10 vehicles and six more boats in the near future.