Electrogenic, the world-leading EV technology company, has expanded into Africa, using its award-winning ‘drop-in’ EV conversion technology to electrify a fleet of Land Rovers for remote Kenyan Eco Safari Lodge, Sarara.
Located in the Matthews Range in Northern Kenya, Sarara is a wilderness conservancy camp that operates a number of safari eco-lodges, as well as the Sarara Foundation and Reteti elephant orphanage.
Thanks to Electrogenic’s compact and efficient, UK-developed technology, Sarara’s high-mileage 4×4 fleet has been given a new-lease of all-electric life. The Land Rovers can now drive silently across the stunningly beautiful, super-remote landscape, emitting no tailpipe emissions and causing no noisy disruption to wildlife.
Sarara’s Land Rovers are key to the smooth operation of the extensive 850,000 acre conservancy, transporting supplies around camp, and enabling guests to get up close with a diverse range of wildlife. Namunyak Conservancy has overseen the return of a nomadic population of 6,000 elephants to the Mathews Range and also protects one of the largest herds of giraffes in Africa. Sarara is also known as a “hot spot” for leopard sightings and is home to over 500 bird species.
Electric Defenders keep camp running through rainy season
Electrogenic’s conversion technology has enabled Sarara to keep its fleet of Land Rover Defenders running through the rainy season – a time when fuel deliveries historically could not reach the remote location due to the unpassable, rutted and muddy roads.
The lodge, which is also a conservation centre and elephant orphanage, has previously forced to wind down operations due to these fuel shortages. This year, however, it has been able to remain fully open throughout thanks to the transformative effect of the EV Land Rovers, which are powered by electricity generated by on-site solar panels.
The Land Rovers have also been able to supply electricity to remote lodges which would normally be supplied by generators – simply plug the lodge into the Electrogenic Land Rover’s charge socket, which happily exports 240V AC power.
Steve Drummond, CEO Electrogenic, said: “The electrification of the Sarara Land Rover Defender fleet has been a truly rewarding project for all of us at Electrogenic. 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.
“Since helping the mechanics at Sarara convert the Land Rovers we’re delighted to report the electrified 4x4s have already proven their worth. They were up and running in time for the region’s rainy season – when the roads become treacherous, preventing deliveries of fuel reaching remote spots.
“The EV Land Rovers immediately had an impact; the Sarara team could rely on them when their supply of diesel ran dry, charging the vehicles using on-site solar panels, and ensuring the camp could keep running smoothly.
“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, so it’s fantastic to see our proprietary EV powertrain solutions thriving in such a diverse and challenging range of scenarios.
“The Sarara case study clearly demonstrates the freedom and transformative flexibility that electric drive can offer – especially in remote locations where conventional fuel is often hard to come by. This flexibility comes in addition to the other core benefits of our EV powertrain packages: bullet-proof reliability, superb efficiency, transformed performance and silent running – which certainly comes in handy when you’re running a safari lodge!
“I am also personally proud to be working with Sarara. It represents the very best of conservation and community action, ensuring their magnificent natural environment is thriving for future generations.”
Sarara’s hard-working Land Rovers have been converted to electric drive using ‘plug-and-play’ EV kit technology that Electrogenic offers worldwide through its international installer network. The Land Rover Defender package is just one option in Electrogenic’s range of easy to install drop-in kits. The product line-up also includes options for the Land Rover Series models, DeLorean DMC-12, Jaguar E-type (XKE) and Mazda MX-5 (Miata), as well as a self-install kit for the classic Mini.
The plug-and-play kits are one expression of Electrogenic’s EV systems integration prowess. Electrogenic also delivers turn-key EV powertrain solutions for low-volume car manufacturers (OEMs). These solutions centre around Electrogenic’s unique proprietary SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) software and electronics, which slashes development times for new EVs, and ensures auto manufacturers have central control of all the functions in their vehicles. The result is vehicles that put the owner “in the driver’s seat” and are natural and responsive to drive.
Electrogenic is also renowned for its bespoke EV conversions, which have included a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II electrified for actor Jason Momoa, and an Aston Martin DB6 converted for comedian Jimmy Carr. All conversions are totally reversible, with nothing cut or drilled on the original car.
Cutting-edge EV tech, installed in the wilds of Kenya
Designed and built in Oxford, Electrogenic’s ‘plug-and-play’ EV conversion kits are conceived from the ground up to be straightforward to install; they can be fitted by any trained mechanic with no need for specific EV expertise.
The kits for Sarara’s Land Rovers were shipped to Kenya with all high and low-voltage wiring looms complete and pre-terminated, so they just needed to be attached to the vehicles and connected to the dashboard. Three Land Rovers were converted from diesel to electric in two weeks by the team of on-site mechanics.
Electrogenic’s technicians travelled out to supervise the process and train the Sarara team, who will now work as an official partner installer for Electrogenic in Kenya, helping other African businesses convert their fleets to clean, reliable, all-electric power.
Two of Sarara’s vehicles have been electrified using Electrogenic’s tried and tested E62 kit, which packs a 62kWh battery supplying a 120kW water-cooled motor, delivering a real-world range of 120 miles in mixed on-road driving, with 160 miles plus, for off-road use. A third Land Rover has been electrified using Electrogenic’s E93 kit, which has a 93kWh battery and 150kW water-cooled motor, delivering a real-world range of 150 miles in mixed on-road driving, with 200 miles plus, for off-road use.
The batteries are located under the bonnet for the E62 kit, with additional batteries beneath the boot floor for the E93 kit – ensuring that interior and luggage space are not compromised. Electrogenic’s proprietary drivetrain technology is carefully integrated into the vehicle’s existing architecture, so no modifications are required. The Land Rovers are capable of up to 6.6kW AC charging, as well as rapid CCS charging, for total convenience. A full charge via CCS takes circa 50 minutes for a 62kWh battery.
New-found flexibility; enhanced off-road prowess
The EV converted Defenders have given the Sarara team new-found flexibility and peace of mind, thanks to the plentiful reserves of solar derived electricity. The EV Land Rovers also deliver improved off-road capability thanks to the superior, instant torque provided by the electric motors through the single speed gearbox – perfect for navigating muddy tracks and climbing slippery inclines. Thanks to regenerative braking with configurable hill descent control, there’s excellent control when descending, too: one-pedal driving uphill, downhill and over mixed ground.
The Land Rover conversion kits retain the Land Rover transfer box, providing permanent four-wheel drive, along with high and low range gear select and central differential lock for exceptional off-road driveability. With ample, instantly available torque, all variants make light work of ascents, even when towing a heavy trailer.
Remembering being driven back and forth from remote bush locations to school as a young boy, Jeremy Bastard, CEO of The Sarara Foundation recalls that the Land Rovers were intrinsic to every chapter of the conservancy’s journey: “These Defenders really are part of the fabric of Sarara: over the years they’ve built camps, worked in conservation, and crossed flooding rivers – we even learnt to drive in them. They’ve been endlessly loaded with supplies, and served up unforgettable memories for guests on game drives.
“The vehicles had been rebuilt countless times over the years, and we couldn’t wait to take the next step and usher in a new, electrified era guided by innovation and practicality. Rolling out these conversions marks the next chapter for Land Rovers in Kenya,”
Robert Lemayian, General Manager of Sarara Camps, added: “As a community, we believe in green energy, and in time, we aim to transition all of our cars to electric power. There is immense value to the environment in that. The safari experience for guests is fantastic, as electric engines make far less noise than ones using fuel. It’s also less intrusive for wildlife, so guests can get closer, making for more vivid and memorable sightings.
“Our vision includes maximising our conservation and rangeland management efforts – and reducing our CO2 emissions supports this. It was easy to upgrade the Land Rovers as they were still structurally strong – and more planet-friendly to repurpose the existing ones too. It was also more cost effective than buying new vehicles; it was better to divert that money towards community projects. Another benefit is that there will be fewer motorised vehicles in the Sarara Valley.”
Sarara appointed approved Electrogenic EV kit installer for Kenya and beyond
Following a training visit from a team of Electrogenic engineers, Sarara will now work as an approved partner for Electrogenic, installing the company’s range of award-winning EV conversion kits for other customers in its on-site workshops.
Sarara’s team of full-time mechanics – responsible for keeping its fleet of vehicles in prime condition – will now enable those in Kenya and beyond to future-proof Land Rovers and other vehicles, reducing tailpipe emissions and helping people lessen their dependency on petrol and diesel.
Drummond said: “We’re delighted that since starting the project, Sarara has now gone a step further and become an Electrogenic installer partner; it’s the ultimate vote of confidence in our technology. We’ve seen fantastic growth over the past two years in North America, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere.
“Electrogenic has big plans in Africa, applying our unique, independent Software Defined Vehicle technology to the manufacture of EV transport solutions in Africa for goods and for people. Africa’s economy has huge potential but is constrained by lack of low-cost, pollution-free transport.
“With EV, we have the opportunity to change that, but it’s important to do that in a way that supports economic development in Africa, rather than simply importing cheap vehicles designed for different infrastructure. Our partnership with Sarara is a small first step, but a vital one. Sarara points the way towards new narratives, not based on excess but on, equity and resilience. And the fact that the Sarara EV Land Rovers are entirely powered by solar is the icing on the cake”.
Lemayian, concluded: “Our mechanics loved collaborating with Electrogenic in the workshop. It was a new thing for the team, and they were truly inspired by all the things they learned. When we tackle the next round of vehicle conversions, they’ll be able to take on more!”
Cutting Edge Technology, Developed in Britain
Electrogenic’s conversions – whether bespoke projects or its award-winning range of ‘drop-in’ kits – feature the firm’s sector-leading, proprietary EV technology, which has underpinned the company’s rapid rise and sustained growth in recent years.
All Electrogenic conversions are defined by their quality and depth of engineering, using technology developed in-house by a research and development team comprising leading automotive engineers, programmers, and electrical experts.
Each conversion reflects Electrogenic’s approach of developing and manufacturing its own technology, which includes in-house designed software, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and digital dashboards, plus vehicle management systems that can integrate any of the latest motors, battery modules, to incorporate the best solutions into its conversion packages.
The conversions use highly innovative mechanical componentry, including a unique system for creating high-density battery packs, as well as exceptionally compact in-line and transverse reduction transmission systems, all manufactured in the UK.
Electrogenic’s world-leading bespoke conversions are completed at its Oxford HQ and workshop, while the ‘drop-in’ kit range is offered internationally through a rapidly growing network of partner installers.
