Revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, the Defender EV experimental vehicle has started work at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, where it will transport visitors by pulling a 12-ton road train.
This is the first real world trial of the Electric Defender’s capabilities, with the 4×4 EV having to climb up a 6 percent incline. The Electric Defender is part of a pioneering research project into the electrification of an all-terrain vehicle and is integrated into Land Rover’s overall sustainability objectives that also include the switch to aluminum platforms in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, as well as future Range Rover hybrids.
Land Rover says the Electric Defender is a rolling test bed aimed at investigating electrification in a real-world environment, with a fleet of six vehicles to be trialed by a number of organizations.
Badged the “All terrain Electric Research Vehicle”, the Defender 110 Pick Up pulls the 12-ton road train carrying up to 60 passengers to and from the hexagonal-paneled domes. The battery-powered model will perform this job daily and recharge overnight in 10 hours for the approximate cost of £2 (€2.30).
The EV has full all-terrain capability, permanent 4WD and a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h). Its Hill Descent Control system is linked to a regenerative braking function, with up to 80 percent of the car’s kinetic energy being recovered. The Terrain Response system has been adapted for electric drive, with driving range being 50 miles (80 km).
The Electric Defender has been fitted with a second battery, allowing it to work a full day at the Eden Project and extend driving range by a further 12.5 miles (20 km).
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
