Churchill, Manitoba is situated in the Arctic, where the windswept tundra gradually meets the icy waters of Hudson Bay. This town, only accessible by plane or train, becomes the polar bear capital of the world every fall. People flock to see a breathtaking spectacle: polar bears assembling on the shore, waiting for the bay to freeze so they can go out to the sea ice and hunt.
For a long time, the Tundra Buggy has been the sole means of such extraordinary wildlife trips. These enormous vehicles are somewhat of a hybrid between a school bus, a tank, and an off-road Defender. They are designed to travel in snow-covered areas while passengers are still given a safe and elevated view of what is going on. Nevertheless, there has been a compromise over the years: conventional diesel-powered Tundra Buggies have been responsible for significant environmental impacts, thus, they have been the source of pollutants in an ecosystem that is very sensitive, and at the same time, they have been emitting engine noise that disturbs both the animals and the silence of the Arctic area.
It is a tough problem. Frontiers North Adventures – the first choice for the polar bear tour in Churchill and a Certified B Corporation – took steps to resolve it. Their answer? The electric Tundra Buggy, the first and only one of its kind in the world.
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.
