Thula Solutions' electric safari 4×4 enters production
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- Thula Solutions developed the ESV 4×4 from the ground up as a purpose-built electric safari vehicle, not a repurposed diesel, with a chassis featuring long-travel four-wheel independent suspension on four powered wheels
- The vehicle pairs a 225 kW (~302 hp) electric motor with a 65-kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed 200-km (~125 mile) range — modest by passenger-EV standards but engineered for game-reserve crawling
- Thula claims the battery supports up to three full days of operation between charges, enough for typical multi-safari daily cycles rather than highway commuting
- The article flags vibration-free, silent running as the 'killer app' — enabling ultra high-definition wildlife photography and an immersive experience unspoiled by engine noise, vibration, or diesel particulates
- The South African company has begun series production and shipped vehicles across borders, establishing Thula as an international electric truck brand after several years of development
Why it matters: Tour operators, park staff, and wildlife photographers gain a quieter, zero-emission platform that lets animals behave more naturally, while Thula's cross-border shipments mark an early commercial foothold for a niche South African EV brand in a segment still dominated by retrofitted diesel game-drive vehicles.
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