Parc Safari: electrification of bush trucks

Project history

Parc Safari has long had the ambition to fight climate change with the same energy it uses to defend biodiversity. During a visit to the Shanghai World Expo in China in 2010, Parc Safari's management realized what it took to go green.

Among the decisions taken, electrifying its vehicle fleet quickly became the most obvious. Initially, the Park invested in a few light vehicles for internal use, six of which are still in operation today. However, the vehicles used for the animal observation circuit were also on the company's radar. The purchase of electric bush trucks was therefore part of the initial plan, but it was not until 2018 that the project became a reality.

In 2022, Parc Safari received its first seven electric bush trucks. The trucks are delivered empty, meaning that the Park takes care of installing the cage and seats. These utility vehicles are accessible to mobility impaired people and can carry up to 50 people in expedition mode on the 5 km circuit criss-crossing the Park's territory.

Parc Safari plans to acquire nine more similar trucks by 2025 to enable the full conversion of its bush vehicle fleet to electric power. The aim is to have enough vehicles to carry all the Park's visitors, who are currently able to travel the route in their personal vehicles, which are often gasoline-powered, a practice that will eventually be prohibited.


Budget

A bush truck costs $300,000, to which must be added approximately $70,000 for the cage and seats. Parc Safari has obtained financial assistance from the provincial government corresponding to 75% of the purchase price of the trucks.


Tips on electrifying a truck fleet

For anyone wanting to electrify their fleet, whatever it may be, Parc Safari advises against relying on the sometimes negative and erroneous general perception of electric vehicles. EVs have become just as efficient as gasoline-powered vehicles. There is no need to compromise on performance with an EV.

It is also important to analyze your needs in order to identify the right type of vehicle. For example, after acquiring a first model of bush truck in 2022, the Park decided to replace the trucks the following year with a less efficient model, better suited to the company's realities.