Churchill in Manitoba is the northernmost point of the Arctic, where after a long barren, the windswept tundra suddenly meets the icy waters of Hudson Bay. Every autumn, this town, which can only be reached by train or plane, turns into the polar bear capital of the world. Visitors come in great numbers to witness an awe-inspiring spectacle: the congregation of polar bears on the shore, eager for the ice to form so they can go out on the sea ice to hunt.
For the past several decades, the Tundra Buggy has been the vehicle of choice for these amazing wildlife excursions. It is a large vehicle that is half school bus, half tank and half off-road Land Rover, which is built to move through snow-covered terrains while at the same time giving the passengers a safe, high vantage point of the happenings below. However, the Tundra Buggies have always been a decades-long trade-off: they are run on conventional diesel which means that the Buggies emit pollutants in an otherwise fragile ecosystem and the noise from the engines disturbs not only the animals but also the quiet Arctic environment.
This is a problem. Frontiers North Adventures—Churchill’s premier polar bear tour operator and a Certified B Corporation—did not just sit idle and wait. Their answer? The world’s first electric Tundra Buggy.
It was definitely not a walk in the park to come up with a four-wheel drive vehicle powered by a battery that would resist very low temperatures and would be able to carry 40 passengers. “There was no blueprint,” said Jessica Burtnick of Frontiers North. The company had basically created itself from scratch. The team developed a solution customized for Churchill’s environment by collaborating with Winnipeg electric bus manufacturer New Flyer (which donated used batteries) and Red River College Polytechnic’s Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre. They were funded by Manitoba’s Conservation and Climate Fund.
The result was a four-gigantic recycled battery-powered pilot previously used in public transit. They had to be able to conduct daily tours multiple times within three days before needing a charge, while keeping passengers warm, comfortable, and safe. That meant adding heating, panoramic windows, and even bathrooms, without compromising on sustainability.
The environmental payoff is astounding. With its fleet of 12 Tundra Buggies electrified, Frontiers North expects to cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3,600 tons over 25 years. The change is more than about emissions, however.
Most dramatically, perhaps, is silence. Unlike their diesel ancestors, these electric Buggies move silently across the tundra. That means guests can listen to the Arctic—snow crunching under wheels, the thump of far-off bird wings, and, occasionally, the muffled sounds of a passing polar bear. The lack of engine noise also diminishes disturbance to wildlife, making it a more polite, interactive experience for animals and visitors both.
Ultimately, the electric Tundra Buggy is not a technological innovation—it’s a badge of honor. For Frontiers North, going electric isn’t an advertising gimmick; it’s a commitment to ensuring that every land and wildlife that make Churchill such a singular destination remain intact. As of 2023, two electric Buggies already ride the tundra, to electrify the entire fleet by the end of the decade.
By doing this, Churchill is setting a precedent for a cleaner future for travel. As global climate change continues to put polar bears in danger in their homes, efforts like this one serve as a reminder that technology and conservation can—and should—be an alliance. This electric Tundra Buggy is not just revolutionizing humans’ visits to the Arctic; it is keeping those white expanses and their notorious residents there for years to come.
