Developed by Land Rover South Africa and Axeon, the usual 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine is removed. It's replaced by a battery pack that is positioned high up so the Defender retains its full off-road ability and the batteries will not risk becoming wet when the car is driven through water.
Replacing the diesel engine drops the electric Defender's carbon dioxide emissions from 295g/km to zero. With a full charge, the batteries provide a 80-kilometre range, with a reserve of 19 kilometres.
Based on a Defender 110 High Capacity Pick Up, the electric car is designed to carry tourists around South Africa's game reserves quietly. It also allows the guides to get closer to wild animals without disturbing them.
Land Rover South Africa will trial the electric Defender and it says there has already been a positive reaction from its own Land Rover Experience drivers. These expert off-road tutors have tested the electric Defender at Land Rover's tough Gerotek centre.
There's no word from Land Rover about selling the electric Defender outside of South Africa for the time being.
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