Sunset swims, barbecues around open fires and canoeing in undisturbed archipelagos

"We think we could go quite far with some kind of hybrid solution"

Peter van der Tol runs the nature tourism company Vänern Outdoor together with his wife Anna. The company started on a small scale with tent rentals and has since grown to include kayak rentals, courses and guided tours. With the motorboat M/S Pärla, they offer longer tours in Lake Vänern to destinations such as Kalvö, Djurö and Lurö.

Anna and Peter are now thinking about how to take the next step in their company's sustainability journey: powering their boats with electricity. An environmental profile is a very important factor in nature tourism. For Peter and Anna, the love of nature is the driving force behind their business.

- "The customers we have are often interested in these issues, so it can be a way to market yourself and be found online," says Peter.

Electric power - a natural evolution

Peter has long worked as an energy and climate advisor for Mariestad, Töreboda and Gullspång municipalities. Thinking about energy efficiency and sustainability to reduce the climate footprint also in Vänern Outdoor is a matter of course.

- "We try to be a bit ahead of the curve, not only calculating strictly on profitability. Not only looking at the cost of diesel versus battery, but also looking at other values," says Peter.

Preferably fossil-free

Both Peter's wife Anna, who grew up in Mariestad and has sailed a lot on Lake Vänern, and Peter are ambassadors for the Lake Vänern and Kinnekulle Biosphere Reserve, and they strive to run their company without fossil fuels. The company car is powered by biogas and when the boat has to run on engine, the biofuel HVO100 is currently used, but there is limited access to this.

- We try to sail as much as possible and plan the routes according to the wind direction. We think we could go quite far with some kind of hybrid solution. With a fairly small battery, about 20 kWh, combined with fairly low speeds and combine it with sailing," says Peter. "The problem is that we also rent out the boat on a weekly basis and sometimes it is sailed longer distances. A year or so ago, the boat sailed from Lake Vänern up to the Norwegian coast and returned up the Göta River and then out into Lake Vänern for another trip. Those distances will be very difficult to manage with the battery solution and the charging infrastructure that exists today.

- But we think that a hybrid solution with electricity could be a solution for the future, it would be fun to try," says Peter. "Nature tourism is based on visitors coming here to experience the unspoiled nature and then we must help to preserve it.

Personalized service and sustainable tourism

Peter and Anna love being out on the water and their personal service and insider tips are appreciated by guests. Many visitors value experiences such as sunset swimming, barbecues around open fires and paddling in undisturbed archipelagos.

For Peter and Anna, it's about continuing to believe in what they do and in the area they operate in. By continuing to pursue sustainable tourism, they hope to inspire others and show that it is possible to run a successful business without compromising their values.

Vänern Outdoor is a shining example of how to combine tourism with sustainability, while offering unforgettable experiences in Europe's largest freshwater archipelago.

About

Vänern outdoor conducts experience-based ecotourism in and around Lake Vänern, based in Mariestad. The company has a consistent sustainability perspective and is fossil fuel-free and carbon neutral. You can find Vänern outdoor here: https://vanernoutdoor.se/

Here Peter shares his thoughts on the hybrid solution