Major African tour firm Asilia Africa shifts to EVs

From the newsletter

Asilia Africa, a tour firm that operates in Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania, will receive its first batch of electric vehicle conversion kits this month. It will get the kits from Tembo e-LV B.V., a subsidiary of US electric services firm VivoPower International PLC. Local conversion of Tembo’s Land Cruisers to EV units and assembly will be done locally.  

• Asilia, part of the B Corp Certified Nawiri group, operates 165 Land Cruisers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Electric safari vehicles reduce carbon emissions, aligning with conservation objectives. They also produce minimal noise, leading to better wildlife encounters and enhancing the tourist experience, thus becoming a key selling point.

• The World Travel & Tourism Council's 2023 report suggests that travel and tourism in Africa could boost the continent’s economy by $168 billion over the next 10 years.

More details

• Asilia Africa manages 16 luxury camps across Kenya and Tanzania. Since its establishment in 2004, the company has been dedicated to conservation-focused tourism. It integrates renewable energy solutions in its lodges.

• Africa’s vast safari industry presents immense potential. Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa attract millions of visitors annually, many seeking sustainable travel experiences. Large national parks, including the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Kruger, and Okavango Delta, offer ideal locations for EV adoption.

• Several factors drive this adoption. Consumer behaviour is key. Today’s travellers, especially in high-end tourism, seek eco-friendly experiences. Regulatory policies, including carbon taxation and emissions reduction goals, also encourage tourist companies towards sustainability. 

• Advances in battery technology and local EV conversion facilities are making electrification more viable. For instance, EV companies such as Roam in Kenya and E-Motion in Tanzania are retrofitting tourist vehicles. 

• Several African safari companies have already adopted EVs. In Botswana, Chobe Game Lodge operates four electric safari vehicles and four electric boats while Natural Habitat Adventures has introduced a solar-powered EV safari experience. 

• In Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club (MKSC) has converted seven vehicles to electric power for Serengeti safaris while Kibo Guides has begun electrifying its fleet. 

• Ker & Downey Africa now offers an exclusive 10-day electric safari experience in Kenya’s Lewa, Ol Pejeta, and Entamato conservancies. Tourists visiting Vipingo Ridge on the Kenyan coast can also explore wildlife using eBee electric bicycles. Emboo River Camp has a fleet of electric Safari landcruisers.

• The tourism industry is increasingly adopting green practices in different ways. Luxury lodges are integrating solar power and waste recycling. Airlines are exploring biofuels to reduce their carbon footprint. Safari operators are phasing out diesel vehicles in favour of electric alternatives. Booking platforms are promoting eco-certified destinations.

Our take

• Tourism operators in Africa work within conservation ecosystems, where environmental protection is a core concern for their clients. Therefore, Africa’s status as a top safari destination presents an opportunity to create Africa-specific EV models tailored to rugged terrains. Private investors could fund green tourism start-ups focusing on electrification.

• Operators can tap into the growing EV safari market by supporting local EV conversion plants. Safari operators can differentiate themselves by branding eco-safaris as a premium offering. New business models, such as leasing EVs or offering carbon-neutral safari packages, can emerge in response to demand. Local vehicle assemblers can establish conversion plants to reduce costs and create jobs.

• A rushed transition without infrastructure could lead to operational inefficiencies, such as charging constraints in remote areas. Tourists may be hesitant if EV reliability is not assured, impacting safari bookings. High initial costs for vehicle conversions could strain smaller operators. A lack of trained mechanics for EV maintenance could lead to downtime. Therefore, strategic planning is needed for a smooth transition.