From the moment our alarm sounds, technology governs every moment of our waking hours. We are constantly surrounded by whirring, buzzing and bleeping contraptions, so it should come as no surprise that so many of us struggle to disconnect.

Noise pollution and excessive screen glare have been blamed for damaging our health – and yet it is advances in modern science that could provide the ultimate solution for unplugging and switching off, especially on holiday. 

December marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of General Motors EV1, the world’s first mass-produced electric car. Since then, advances have been rapid, and by 2035, when only zero-emission vehicles will be available for sale, electric power will dominate our roads.

Surprisingly, the history of e-vehicles goes back as far as the 19th century. Amid myriad madcap inventions, stand-out creations include Scottish inventor Robert Anderson’s novelty, battery-powered carriage in the 1830s and Walter Bersey’s fleet of London taxis in 1897, nicknamed “hummingbirds” because of the sound they made.

Fortunately, modern motors are blissfully silent, conveniently speedy and – in the long term – more affordable to use. Nor is it only cars that are offering a quieter, greener way to travel: electric bikes, trains and even cruise ships also provide a more enjoyable means of travelling the world.

The impact these vehicles have had on holidays has been tremendous – and not just in terms of sustainability. Road trips are wonderfully relaxing, bike rides require less effort and trains reach their destination faster.

Wildlife experiences have also been enhanced – both on land and on water. Whales come closer to silent vessels and converted land cruisers have returned safaris to their natural state by allowing guests to tune into ambient bush sounds.

In the future, more sparks will undoubtedly fly, but in the meantime, here are some electrifying breaks you can enjoy in 2022.

Super-charged wildlife encounters

Kenya: hear the roar

Seeing a lion in the African bush is spine-tingling; hearing it roar at dawn will shake you to the core. Memorable sightings are always backed up by a suitable soundtrack on a good safari – but tuning in can often take a bit of work. Turn up the volume of the wildlife by game driving in an electric vehicle, quietly trailing cats without causing any disturbance, while listening to their paws pad along dusty trails. Kicheche Mara Camp has invested in a specially adapted 4×4, capable of rumbling across the granite-strewn landscape of Mara North conservancy for 50 miles on one charge. 

How to do it: A five-night, full-board stay with Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547760; abercrombiekent.co.uk) at Kicheche Mara Camp costs from £4,999pp

Brazil: jungle sounds

Protecting the Earth is a tall order, but a lot can be done on a 12,355-acre patch of land. In the early 1980s, Brazilian conservationist Renato Machado purchased an 18th-century fazenda at the foothills of the Mantiqueira mountains with the intention of restoring swathes of Atlantic forest that once covered the area. His pioneering venture – a four-hour drive from Rio – has  preserved a traditional village on site and created wildlife corridors that support local communities. Stay on the property and explore it in an electric buggy. The sculpture trail, natural pools and muriqui spider monkey conservation project are highlights. 

How to do it: A five-night, full-board stay with Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547760; abercrombiekent.co.uk) costs from £2,500pp, including flights. Buggies cost £120 per day

Canada: buggy with bears

Few things faze Churchill’s polar bears: accustomed to large tundra buggies carrying tourists, they barely lift a paw. But to ensure that these apex predators continue to live undisturbed, wildlife holiday operator Frontiers North Adventures is converting its fleet of diesel-powered units into electric vehicles. Not only is this minimising sound pollution, but charging stations fuelled by locally generated hydropower are also slashing carbon emissions. 

How to do it: A seven-night Churchill Town & Tundra Enthusiast tour with Canadian Affair (0207 616 9999; canadianaffair.com) costs from £6,484pp, including flights. Departs September 25 2022