Churchill, Manitoba, is situated at the top of the Arctic, where windswept tundra gives way to the frozen waters of Hudson Bay. Every autumn, this isolated town—beyond the reach of anything other than train or air travel—is the polar bear capital of the globe. Tourists converge here to view a breathtaking spectacle: polar bears congregating on the shoreline, eager for the bay to ice up so they may venture out onto the sea ice to hunt.
For decades, the Tundra Buggy has been the go-to vehicle for these extraordinary wildlife adventures. Half school bus, half tank, half off-road Defender, these giant vehicles are designed to rumble through snow-covered landscapes while providing passengers with a secure, elevated perspective on the action below. But there’s been a decades-long trade-off: conventional diesel-fueled Tundra Buggies carry a hefty environmental impact, pouring pollutants into an otherwise delicate ecosystem and producing engine noise that disturbs both the wildlife and the peaceful Arctic environment.
That’s a dilemma. Frontiers North Adventures—Churchill’s premier polar bear tour operator and a Certified B Corporation—worked to fix. Their solution? The globe’s first-ever electric Tundra Buggy.
Creating an all-terrain vehicle powered by a battery that would withstand sub-zero temperatures and carry 40 passengers wasn’t easy. “There was no blueprint,” Frontiers North’s Jessica Burtnick said. Instead, the company was created from scratch. With the help of Winnipeg electric bus builder New Flyer (which donated retired batteries) and Red River College Polytechnic’s Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre, the team created a solution tailored to Churchill’s environment. They were supported 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.
