Polaris has officially launched the Ranger XP Kinetic UTV, which is now the most powerful, highest-torque electric utility vehicle on the market. The impressive UTV was brought to life by a partnership between Polaris and Zero Motorcycles (the electric motorcycle company) and is reportedly the first in a series of electric power sports vehicles slated for release.
Rather than settling for Zero Motorcycle’s 46-horsepower motor, Polaris opted for their most powerful motor with 110 hp, which also boasts 140 lb-ft of torque. Not only that, the Ranger XP Kinetic can carry 568 kg and tow 1,136 kg. It also offers a massive 36 cm of ground clearance and 25 centimetres of suspension travel. The base Premium model has a 14.9 kWh battery good for 72 km, while the top-tier Ultimate has a 29.8 kWh battery for 129 km.
Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic UTV
In fact, in an interview with electrek, VP of Off-Road Chris Judson shared that he wasn’t content to simply build an electric Ranger; rather, he wanted to build the best UTV on the market, whether gas-powered or electric. With this in mind, Polaris and Zero worked to improve functionality and performance at every turn throughout the development process.
The Ranger XP Kinetic also features “a new shifter design with high, low, neutral, and park, but also adds an updated easy-to-use forward/reverse switch for quick back and forth operation”. This functionality will be especially helpful for repetitive tasks.
Finally, the electric powertrain offers quiet operation, meaning the UTV can perform tasks like plowing or grading silently, without disrupting neighbours or agitating livestock. Polaris also made charging easy for the Ranger XP Kinetic, with Level 1 charging (slow overnight charge) and Level 2 charging (quicker charge for in the middle of the day) capabilities for either 120V or 240V charging.
Pre-orders for the new, all-electric UTV opened today, and deliveries are expected to begin next summer; the Premium starts at $26,699, while the Ultimate goes for $36.199.
