Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, an operator of tours to the Columbia Icefield in Alberta’s Jasper National Park, has added an EV to its fleet of tourist vehicles.

The Electric Ice Explorer will operate on the Athabasca Glacier as part of the company’s regular fleet. Tours will continue to include guided interpretation and glacier walks.

The Electric Ice Explorer was developed in partnership with Noble Northern, a Manitoba-based company focused on heavy-duty EV conversions. The vehicle’s redesigned frame is more than 50% lighter than the original and includes bifacial solar panels, regenerative braking and safety systems designed for glacier terrain, including geofencing technology that manages speed and braking in designated glacier areas.

For guests, the electric vehicle provides a quieter cabin experience that allows more natural sounds to be heard.

The pilot program will be used to evaluate the potential for broader electrification of glacier access vehicles at the Columbia Icefield.

The Electric Ice Explorer is part of a broader effort to reduce emissions on the glacier. Pursuit has refurbished 10 of its Ice Explorers, upgrading six with EPA Tier 3 engines and four with EPA Tier 4 engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The company also replaced a diesel generator system at the Columbia Icefield facility with propane, which it says reduced the facility’s carbon footprint by more than 30%.

“The Columbia Icefield is one of the most significant places where we operate and how we show up here matters,” said Stuart Back, Chief Operating Officer of Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection. “Starting with one vehicle is intentional. It allows us to learn in real-world conditions and apply those lessons over time.”

“We rebuilt this vehicle from the chassis up to be as light and efficient as possible while meeting the demands of glacial terrain,” said Tye Noble, President of Noble Northern. “Five years ago, six kilowatts of solar on a vehicle like this would not have been considered practical. This pilot allows the technology to be tested in a demanding operating environment.”

Source: Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality