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Case study data
Table 1
summarises the data received from Chobe Game Lodge
(CGL). Freedom 3 is its first electric Land Rover, which has been
operating since August 2014. Freedom 4 is its first electric boat, and
Freedom 5 is its second electric Land Rover. The Land Rovers are
Defender 130s with game viewing configuration for 11 seats. The boat
is a 9 m long twin hull flat deck boat with capacity for 18 passengers.
Figure 3: The WMagnet motor range by WEG, as used in Freedom
Won’s electric conversions, is driven by the CFW11 range of inverter.
(Image courtesy WEG).
Data in
Table 1
shows that the electric Land Rovers are so efficient that
the cost of purchasing their energy is a little over 10% of what it costs
to purchase fuel for a diesel powered equivalent. The hydroelectricity
is less costly in the Chobe region (Pula 0,45) but in South Africa the
effect of our more expensive electricity is mostly counteracted by our
more expensive diesel – and the result is very similar.
Parameter
Electric Land Rovers
Electric Boat
Freedom 3 Freedom 5 Freedom 4
In operation since September
2014
April 2015
November
2014
Distance travelled /
hours operated on
electric power
10 541 km 4 634 km 535 hrs
Total electrical
energy consumed
3 773 kWh 1 666 kWh 1 684 kWh
Energy consumed
per km or hour
0,36 kWh per
km
0,36 kWh per
km
3,14 kWh
per hr
Cost per kWh for
Victoria Falls Hydro
Power at CGL
ZAR 0,55
Cost per km or hr
ZAR 0,20/km ZAR 0,20/km ZAR 1,74/hr
Fuel consumption
prior to electric
conversion
18l/100 km 18l/100 km 2,15 l/hr
Cost per km or hr
prior to conversion
ZAR 1,81/km ZAR 1,81/km ZAR 21,6/hr
Total CO
2
emissions
avoided
4 951 kg
2 176 kg
2 672 kg
The objective for EV operators should be to install a photovoltaic array
that can charge the EVs at a fixed cost of about ZAR 0,80 per kWh on
a life cycle amortised basis. This feature also allows the operator to
shift to a zero operational CO
2
emissions scenario.
The featured 4x4 electric vehicles will be averaging nearly
2 000 km per month each over the coming years and they will be
joined by a further 10 electric Land Cruisers and another five electric
boats. The entire lodge will operate on electric mobility with a total
of about 20 000 kms covered by the 4x4 vehicles and 600 hours of
boat operation per month. This will equate to about 9 400 kg of CO
2
emission savings for the 4x4s and 3 000 kg for the boats per month.
Return on Investment
In the case of Chobe Game Lodge, the cost savings of converting its
whole fleet to electric drives are only a bonus, the real interest is in
pioneering eco-tourism and offering guests a unique silent and pollution
free game viewing experience.
Table 1: Chobe Game Lodge Energy Consumption and Carbon Genera-
tion Case Study Data updated July 2015.
Figure 4: 88A CFW 11 mounted into the Chobe Game Lodge electric
boat (Freedom 4) console along with the battery management system,
chargers, 12 V battery and other electrical equipment.
Figure 5: 30 kW WEG PM motor fitted to an outboard stem on the
Chobe Game Lodge electric boat. (Cover has been removed for photo).
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY MADE SIMPLE 2015