Sunreef Yachts donates electric safari car to Maasai
Multihull designer and manufacturer, Sunreef Yachts has donated a custom-engineered electric safari car to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT).
With over 20 years of activity, the MWCT works to protect the astounding biodiversity of East Africa through conservation efforts that directly benefit wildlife and the local Maasai communities, and promotes responsible tourism and education through cooperation with sustainable camps and lodges.
Donating the fully-electric vehicle to support the trust’s quest for a more sustainable travel experience, the shipyard’s technical and R&D teams used the body of an off-road classic and their know-how of green technology to carry out and supervise this unique project in all its mechanical and electrical aspects.
With a passion for motor sports Sunreef Yachts’ founder and president, Fancis Lapp, was directly involved with the project, sharing his expertise coming from numerous 4×4 races in customised vehicles of his own design.
“The MWCT brings a fantastic vision to life: working with the proud Maasai community to protect Kenya’s unique natural heritage and wildlife,” says Lapp. “The definition of responsible travel that the trust promotes is one of a kind and I feel Sunreef Yachts shares the same philosophy.
“The company’s position in sustainable yachting motivates us to share our knowledge and know-how with inspiring partners. The Sunreef Yachts Eco technology designed for yachts is now applied to an electric car. I am happy to witness this evolution and am confident it will lead to more exciting projects.”
The electric safari car was equipped with a state-of-the art electric engine and a powerful battery bank. Solar panels developed by the shipyard featuring a new technology used only on Sunreef Yachts Eco catamarans were also fitted. The mechanical and electrical systems were specifically calibrated to respond to the needs of the eco lodges working hand-in-hand with the MWCT.
