Oxford-based EV conversion specialist Electrogenic has completed its first African deployment, electrifying a fleet of Land Rover Defenders at Sarara, a remote wilderness conservancy and safari lodge in Kenya’s Matthews Range. The project marks the company’s expansion onto a fourth continent and demonstrates practical applications for EV technology in off-grid environments.
Highlights
- Three Land Rover Defenders converted using Electrogenic’s E62 and E93 drop-in kits, delivering 120-200 miles of off-road range powered entirely by on-site solar panels
- Operational continuity achieved during rainy season when impassable roads historically prevented diesel deliveries, previously forcing lodge closures
- Sarara becomes authorized installer for Electrogenic technology in Kenya, enabling future conversions across the region
- Vehicle-to-load capability allows converted Land Rovers to supply 240V AC power to remote lodges, replacing generator dependency
Solving Remote Fuel Supply Challenges
The 850,000-acre Namunyak Conservancy where Sarara operates faces significant logistical challenges during Kenya’s rainy season. Rutted, muddy roads become impassable, cutting off fuel deliveries to the remote location.
Previous rainy seasons forced the lodge and its affiliated Reteti elephant orphanage to reduce operations due to diesel shortages. The electrified fleet, charged via on-site solar infrastructure, eliminated this dependency during the 2024-2025 wet season.
The converted vehicles also function as mobile power sources. Staff can connect remote lodges directly to the Land Rovers’ charge sockets to export electricity, reducing reliance on diesel generators.
Technical Specifications
Electrogenic deployed two kit variants for the Sarara conversion:
E62 Kit (two vehicles):
- 62kWh battery capacity
- 120kW water-cooled motor
- 120 miles mixed on-road range
- 160+ miles off-road range
- Battery location: under hood
E93 Kit (one vehicle):
- 93kWh battery capacity
- 150kW water-cooled motor
- 150 miles mixed on-road range
- 200+ miles off-road range
- Battery location: under hood and beneath boot floor
All vehicles support 6.6kW AC charging and rapid CCS charging. A full CCS charge for the 62kWh battery completes in approximately 50 minutes.
Off-Road Performance Characteristics
The electric conversions retain the Defender’s original transfer box, maintaining permanent four-wheel drive with high and low range selection and central differential lock.
Key performance features include:
- Instant torque delivery through single-speed gearbox for improved traction on muddy terrain and steep inclines
- Regenerative braking with configurable hill descent control
- One-pedal driving capability across varied terrain
- Full towing capacity maintained
Installation Process
Electrogenic designed its drop-in kits for installation by trained mechanics without specialized EV expertise. The Sarara conversion demonstrated this approach in a remote field environment.
Kits arrived with all high and low-voltage wiring looms pre-terminated, requiring only attachment to vehicles and dashboard connection. On-site mechanics completed three full conversions in two weeks under supervision from Electrogenic technicians.
The conversion process requires no cutting or drilling of original vehicle components, making all modifications fully reversible.
Installer Network Expansion
Following the successful deployment, Sarara’s mechanical team has been certified as an official Electrogenic partner installer for Kenya. The arrangement positions Sarara to offer EV conversions to other African businesses seeking to electrify their fleets.
Electrogenic currently operates partner installers across North America, Europe, and the Southern Hemisphere. A complete directory is available on the company’s partner installer network page.
Product Portfolio
The Land Rover Defender kit represents one option in Electrogenic’s drop-in product line. Additional kits are available for:
- Land Rover Series models
- DeLorean DMC-12
- Jaguar E-Type (XKE)
- Mazda MX-5 (Miata)
- Classic Mini (self-install)
Beyond consumer kits, Electrogenic provides turn-key EV powertrain solutions for low-volume vehicle manufacturers. These systems utilize the company’s proprietary Software Defined Vehicle platform, which centralizes control of vehicle functions and reduces development timelines for new EV programs.
The company also maintains its bespoke conversion business, with notable projects including a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II for actor Jason Momoa and an Aston Martin DB6 for comedian Jimmy Carr.
Conservation Context
Sarara operates within the Namunyak Conservancy, which has facilitated the return of approximately 6,000 free-ranging elephants to the Matthews Range. The conservancy also protects one of Africa’s largest reticulated giraffe populations and supports roughly 500 bird species.
The Reteti elephant orphanage, affiliated with the Sarara Foundation, rehabilitates orphaned elephants for eventual release. Silent electric vehicle operation reduces wildlife disturbance during safari activities and conservation work.
Additional information about Sarara is available at sarara.co. Technical details on Electrogenic’s conversion systems can be found at electrogenic.co.uk.
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