We recently completed testing of a Polaris Ranger EV. This UTV spent more than a year as the go-to choremaster on a sheep and cattle ranch in east-central Kansas.
The machine was always ready to go in any weather, in any season — as long as we remembered to plug it in.
The incredible torque of the electric motor and different “range” settings offered sure-footed towing and hauling capacity through snow, mud, sloppy and soggy corrals, and all over the pastures. The machine was used to haul fencing supplies, people and mineral. It was also used for herd and flock checks, and it was invaluable for rounding up the animals.
We never ran it out of battery juice in normal use — we did run the batteries down intentionally to test the “limp” function, which worked beautifully to get us back to the barn.
One of the perceived drawbacks to electric vehicles is their range. In our test, range was never an issue.
When compared with a gasoline-powered Ranger we tested earlier, the EV was notably quieter, had a slower top speed — which was fine with us — and it lacked exhaust fumes, spilled gasoline fumes and mess, and all the inconveniences associated with maintaining an internal combustion engine.
If you are in the market for a UTV for work and moderate recreation, be sure to investigate the Polaris Ranger EV among other electric options.
Interested in more information on UTVs? Read Comparing Types of Transmissions for Utility Vehicles.
Hank Will raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on Google+.
