With the continuous increase in environmental pollution, we need to be careful and conscious of our carbon footprint. There is a need to find out ways to reduce the emission of hazardous gases into the environment.
One possible way is to use our vehicles without gas on the road. And as a solution, UTVs have introduced electric vehicles in the market. Once dominated the market with the gas-powered vehicle, their electric vehicles are now taking a stand against environmental pollution.
Electric vehicles are the best alternative to gas-powered vehicles for recreation enthusiasts and those who love to do outdoor activities. Technology has advanced in making side-by-side electronic vehicles far more versatile and reliable than before.
If you would like to buy one, then read along with the detailed reviews of our top five electric utility vehicles in this guide. Moreover, you will get enough information that you should know before purchasing an electronic utility vehicle.
Electric Utility Vehicles – Top 5 Picks
One of the perks of purchasing an electric utility vehicle is its noiseless operation. These are specially designed for those who use vehicles for hunting purposes. Additionally, the quieter operation is also advantageous for city workers who need to go around the areas where gas motor vehicles can cause a disturbance.
Another benefit is that they do not require much maintenance. Electric utility vehicles have fewer parts means only a few things that can wear out. Also, you do not need to change the oil, fuel filter, and spark plugs regularly.
Lastly, as we have discussed above that, they do not produce any emissions into the environment. You still have to charge the batteries regularly. But they are less expensive than gasoline required in gas-powered vehicles.
The step towards electric vehicles is a big development in terms of efficiency and safety. After doing thorough research, we have picked the five best electronic utility vehicles for you based on what they offer and how they stand out as the best among its peers in the market.
In the following guide, you will get all the information about the electric UTV regarding the functions of vehicles, battery performance, towing capacity, and warranty. Read further and decide what type of electronic utility vehicle can fulfill your requirements.
2018 Polaris Ranger EV
Polaris is the renowned brand name for both UTV and ATV vehicle industries. They have garnered a great number of sales and positive feedback since the beginning, and now they came up with new electric vehicles.
Let get into details about its various specifications:
Battery And Engine
Like every other Electronic Utility Vehicles, Polar Ranger EV also includes a single AC induction motor with 48 battery voltage. If you are new to this term, we are here to help you out with a brief outline of AC motors.
AC motors are available in two different types in the market, one is the synchronous motor, and the other is induction motor, which is also known as asynchronous motors.
In the induction motor, there is only one process of induction involved. When the electric supply is induced into the stator winding, a magnetic flux is produced as a result of the electrical current in the coil. The rotor winding is arranged in a manner that each coil gets short-circuited.
The magnetic field in the rotor will rotate the rotator shaft inside the motor to produce the energy to start the engine. In an induction motor, there is a minimum speed difference between the rotor shaft speed and the stator rotating magnetic field, which is known as slip.
The rotor shaft cannot rotate at the same speed as the magnetic field in the stator. And that difference in speed is the slip. The slip is responsible for introducing current in the rotor AC winding.
The second type of AC motor is known as the synchronous motor. These motors are not generally used in the UTVs.
In the synchronous motor, the motor makes use of the permanent magnets that produces torque at the same speed as the magnetic field. That results in synchronous speed. The motor doesn’t need slip induction to operate the engine.
Now that you understand how an AC motor works, you can determine what type of motor is available in your electronic utility vehicle and how it functions.
Polaris Ranger EV with an AC induction motor is capable of producing about 30 horsepower. The horsepower also depends on the load that you are towing along with in the vehicle.
Apart from that, be careful with the batteries if you are going after the 2010-2011 models. The 2018 model has a 48 Volt battery, which is an average-sized battery for an electronic utility vehicle.
If there is one, the reason you should go for Polaris Ranger is its quiet operations. While many gas-powered rangers are powerful but they often create a lot of noise, this one works quietly. That is the reason they are great to take out while you are hunting.
Suspension
With Polaris Ranger, you get a ground clearance of about 12 inches. It is quite good if you want to avoid pesky obstacles on the road while driving. The ground clearance is also quite similar to the Ranger 570 and 500 models.
The vehicle makes use of Macpherson Strut suspension with 9 inches of travel and a Dual A-arm independent rear suspension again with 9 inches of travel. The solid suspension is amazing because the top of the telescope damper is used as the upper steering pivot. This helps you to drive smoothly over any type of terrain or rocks.
What’s more, the FOX Podium internal bypass shocks are located at all four corners providing 18 inches of travel back and front.
Ride/Range Time
You are at an advantage with gas-powered vehicles where you can drive all day long when the tank is full. You can even take along some gasoline with you. However, with electronic utility vehicles, you won’t get sufficient range time.
Polaris Ranger EV provides per charge only 45 miles of range. The drive will be smooth, turf-friendly, and quite peaceful, but you won’t be able to go far away with this vehicle.
Cargo/ Towing Capacity
Polaris Ranger comes with a towing capacity of 1500 lbs., a payload capacity of 1,000 lbs. and a cargo capacity of 500 lbs. The vehicle has sufficient strength to do the average loading and to finish it within a few trips.
Drive Train
What is really appealing about the Polaris Ranger EV are the different drive trains. The different drive-train includes two-wheel drive, turf mode, and all-wheel drive. You can even drive smoothly over the grass. Moreover, your kids can drive the vehicle easily in the turf mode.
Another interesting feature lies in its great stopping power. The vehicle comes with dual hydraulic disks that offer amazing stopping power and is safe for everyone’s use.
Warranty
The electronic utility vehicle is backed with three-years of limited warranty. Moreover, you can get the vehicle at a price of $11,299.
If you are looking for a quiet vehicle that you can take out while hunting and save your money on gas expenses, this is your best option.
Nikola Zero 2018
If you are looking for a high-performance electronic utility vehicle, your wait is over as Nikola Zero is here. This electric UTV performs best as compared to the other gas-powered UTV available in the market.
Nikola is a new start-up company that has been around for a while and has refined the whole idea of electric UTVs. Let us take a look at its specifications in detail.
Engine
With Nikola Zero, you will get a high-performance engine that can produce power at an exceptionally fast rate as compared to other electric UTVs.
Although the vehicle has a basic AC induction engine, there is a choice of two different engines for the vehicle for better performance. The engine for the expensive model can produce 490 foot-lbs torque and 555 horsepower. However, the baseline model can produce 368 foot-lbs of torque and 415 of horsepower.
If you like to tow or climb a hill with this electric UTV, you can have the extra amount of torque and horsepower. The vehicle takes the exact amount of energy that is required to perform a particular task. If you don’t need extra power, the vehicle will not use it.
Nikola Zero can travel up to 60 miles per charge. Moreover, you get four independent motors for each wheel, and as a result, you get the power straight into your wheels. Each motor combines to provide 775 foot-lb of torque and 590 horsepower. That means, in just 4 seconds, it can take you from zero to sixty mph.
To make sense of the high efficiency of the Nikola Zero, we would like to compare two best side-by-side cars from the two top brands in the market. Maverick X3 MAX Turbo R has about 173 horsepower, and the Polaris RZR XP Turbo S has about 168 horsepower.
You can see how this Salt-Lake City Utah based start-up has given tough competition to the top electric vehicles. Plus, you are getting double the power than those vehicles.
Battery
The battery of Nikola Zero is said to surpass the battery of robust Tesla when it comes to output and strength. The electric UTV offers you a lithium-ion battery giving a maximum output of 125 kWh.
If you do not want a 125 kWh battery, you have the option to choose from the other two battery packages, including 75 kWh and 100 kWh battery. It doesn’t matter which battery you choose; you will get efficiency and power like no other electric UTVs.
With Nikola Zero, you no longer have to worry about long hours of charging the vehicle. This electric UTV can charge in just two hours, while many other electric UTVs takes seven hours to charge.
You have more control over the vehicle, fewer rollovers, and faster cornering due to a lower center of gravity. The batteries are located within the bottom frame rail. The batteries move the motor to each wheel while keeping the weight below your feet.
Ride/Range Time
The range of Nikola Zero is amazing, as it can drive up to 100-200 miles on a single charge. And when you switch the vehicle to 4X4, you can get a full 200 miles from the vehicle.
With Nikola Zero, you get an additional option of a 4 kW solar charging system. This feature helps you to easily move around in the remote woods and dirt trails in this eco-friendly electronic UTV.
Towing And Cargo Capacity
The towing capacity of Nikola Zero is exceptional at 3,000 lb. However, it just has 100 lb. of cargo capacity in the back of the vehicle. The vehicle has a four-seat capacity but less cargo space than other electric UTVs.
With this vehicle, you also get a 7-inch instrument cluster and a 13-infotainment screen. Moreover, the vehicle is packed with several safety features. You will get stability control, anti-rollover design, anti-lock brakes, and traction control.
The small size of the vehicle is not generally made for work purposes. However, if you want to tow anything, you can do that without facing any problems.
Suspension
The suspension of Nikola Zero is 20 inches, which is considerably more than many Polaris Models. The Polaris models offer a suspension of 9 inches. Now, you can point out the great difference between the two.
Apart from that, the vehicle comes with a standard Dual A-arm Suspension on the back and front. With massive tires like this model, you get an about 32-inch suspension of deadlock wheels. And, if you switch to the 4X4 vectoring option, there is no comparison to this electric utility vehicle.
Warranty
In a complicated and big vehicle like this, you will get a warranty of two years. Although the vehicle is slightly expensive than Polaris, you get the great engine and battery performance along with safety and space.
Polaris Ranger EV LI-ION
The industry’s first off-road electric utility vehicle is backed with Lithium-ion technology. The Polar Ranger EV LI-ION is the embodiment of quiet, clean, quick acceleration, smooth performance, and efficient power.
Let us look in detail at what this exceptional electric utility can offer you.
Battery
Polaris Ranger EV LI-ION seems to be quite similar to the previously mentioned Ranger; however, there is a huge difference in their functioning. This one comes with a lithium-ion battery, while the Polaris Ranger EV uses a lead-acid battery.
Let us get into details about why a lithium-ion battery can make a huge difference in performance between the two.
Although lead-acid batteries are efficient in their performance, they are usually cheap to make and install. Also, they do not last longer than lithium-ion batteries. As batteries live in cycles, they tend to degrade as time passes and becomes less effective.
The lithium-ion batteries have a longer life span. However, they are much more expensive than lead-acid batteries. The installation and average cost of the lithium-ion battery may vary somewhere around $5,000 to $ 15,000, which mostly depends on the system and the size of the battery.
One more reason why lithium-ion batteries last longer are that they do not require constant and regular maintenance. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries require constant maintenance to ensure long-lasting and good health.
As far as the effectiveness of the batteries is concerned, lithium batteries are more effective than lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries are 95 percent more effective as compared to the 80-85 percent effectiveness of lead-acid batteries. The percentage defines how efficiently the energy of the battery is used.
One last thing with batteries is the depth of charge. The depth of the charge determines how much you can use a battery without damaging it. A lithium battery uses about 85 percent of charge during one cycle without affecting the battery life-span. A lead-acid battery should not go beyond 50 percent as it will affect the life span of the battery negatively.
Now that you know which battery is more efficient and why you can see how Ranger EV LI-ION gives you more power and charge.
Engine
The engines of both the vehicles are similar using the AC induction motor. Both the electric UTVs have 48-volt batteries and can produce 30 horsepower. However, with this model, you will get 229 ft-lb of torque.
Transmission
The transmission is a fully automated CVT on this Ranger EV LI-ION. Moreover, you get a direct drive with low noise gears for noiseless and smooth operation.
With a CVT transmission, you can seamlessly change the gear ratios as you drive, whereas other transmissions offer hard shifts between gear ratios. Additionally, it makes the whole acceleration process quite smooth.
Suspension
The lightweight electric utility vehicle is specifically designed for day-long off-road comfort so that you have no problem with long rides. Also, with this model, you get a solid suspension of MacPherson strut suspension for a smooth ride.
You will get 9-inch front suspension travel and 9-inch independent real suspension travel for bench seat cab comfort. Apart from that, a ground clearance of 10 inches gives you enough space to navigate on rough and rocky terrain.
Ride/Range Time
The Polaris Ranger EV LI-ION offers to deliver reliable power and faster acceleration so that you can easily move around your house and property. Additionally, you get a 50-mile range limit on a single charge so that you can start your journey with full confidence.
With this electric utility vehicle, you get the choice of three modes of operation, including Max Range, Low and High. You can choose the modes according to your and the road’s requirement for smooth performance.
Apart from this, you get exceptional 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity and 1,000 lbs. of payload capacity. This will help you handle the job of carrying heavy loads and the work done in fewer trips. Moreover, you get an extra integrated storage option and a gas assists dump box with 500 lbs. capacity.
Warranty
With such an efficient electric UTV that offers a customizable tilt steering wheel, wide foot clearance, and ideal seat height, you need a good warranty period. For that, the Polaris Ranger EV LI-ION is backed with three years of limited warranty, which is great when you have as expensive lithium-ion batteries involved.
2018 Textron Prowler EV IS
The 2018 Prowler EV from Textron is known for delivering premium electric vehicle performance for any rider and their companions.
Let us directly dive into the details of how it can make your ride more adventurous.
Engine
With Textron Prowler EV, you get a 72V AC electric Drive-train, which is 25 percent more efficient than gas-powered vehicles. Moreover, it offers emission-free and noise-free performance.
The gas-powered vehicles can create about 30,000 square foot field of disturbance with exhaust and noise. However, this noise-free vehicle lets you get about 85 % closer to your prey during hunting. The AC Drivetrain is perfect for those who love hunting, as it won’t scare your prey with a loud noise.
Textron is equipped with the basic features of electric vehicles, including two electric motors in the rear and front wheels for four-wheel drive. The engine is backed with 38 horsepower and automatic transmission. The horsepower is quite similar to the Polaris models.
Textron does not provide information regarding the range it can offer, but that entirely depends on the load and riding conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to give an accurate number of the range time.
Transmission
The transmission of the Textron Prowler EV is not CVT but direct drive. You get better shifting with direct drive as there are fewer gears connected to the vehicle. That means the vehicle can excel at the highest speed of 24.5 mph.
Battery
The 2018 Textron Prowler EV also uses a lithium-ion battery instead of a lead-acid battery. While using a lithium acid battery, it tends to be a little expensive from Polaris Ranger EV at $13,499.
This electric UTV uses a 72-volt battery as compared to what its counterpart use, which is a 48-volt battery. The 72V battery system is comprised of six other 12V heavy-duty deep cycle batteries that feed the AC electric power to rear and dual front motors. That results in the silent operation.
On a single charge of a battery, you can enjoy about 8-12 hours of efficient performance. The performance will also depend on the amount of weight you are loading. Still, the battery life is impressive as it can handle heavy loads.
Towing Capacity
The electric utility vehicle can fulfill all the requirements of sportswomen or men in terms of its towing capacity. It has a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 lbs. and payload on the cargo deck of about 400 lb. You can easily move cargo in whatever way you like to go.
With a 70-inch wheelbase, you get a ground clearance of about 9.5 inches and also feature Carlisle Trail Pro Tires. That means even the rough terrains cannot stop you. The vehicle can stand up to any off-road vehicle, whether electric or gas-powered.
Suspension
The Textron Prowler offers a lower suspension with MacPherson Strut suspension as compared to Polaris and Nikola vehicles. It has a suspension of 5 inches while Polaris has 9 inches, and Nikola has 20 inches of suspension.
For off-road performance, the Prowler EV IS ready to take your experience to another level. The front suspension is paired with full-time 4WD to offer exceptional comfort and off-road capability.
The model features an automatic Electric Park Break, which gets activated when the driver removes the food from the accelerator pedal. Moreover, there is an integrated glove box that allows easy access to the essential gear. For enhanced braking performance, the model comes with four-wheel hydraulic brakes.
The most appealing safety feature of this model lies in the Intellibrake function that can lock your vehicle in its place automatically when you switch off the motor.
Warranty
The Textron Prowler EV IS comes with many additional features, including LED headlights, an in-dash battery status indicator, impact-resistant fender flares, taillights, and a fold-down cargo deck.
You will also get to choose from two different color options, including timber camo and black for a four-wheel suspension set-up. Moreover, it does not leave a single carbon emission in the process. All of these are worth it when it is also backed with one year of limited warranty.
2018 Hisun Sector E1
2018 Hisun Sector E1 is one of the most affordable Electric UTVs you can get in the market. Hisun Sector E1 has everything that a fully functional electric UTV should be equipped with.
Let us get into the details of their specifications and features to know what you should expect from this electric utility vehicle.
Engine
Hisun may not be popular as Polaris, but it’s a great addition to the electric utility vehicle’s family. Hisun comes with the same AC induction motor as the most electric UTVs. However, it offers more horsepower than most Polaris models.
With a 48-volt battery and 38 horsepower, it also produces 220 ft-lb of torque. Also, the maximum speed can go higher up to 25 mph. However, it is not among the fastest electric UTVs you can find in the market. The vehicle is quite small, which is beneficial for short rides around the ranch or farm or for hunting.
The vehicles also come with a back cargo area and a four-person seating capacity. In terms of good space and a powerful engine, you can haul anything without any issue.
Ride/Range Time
With Hisun Sector E1, you get maintenance-free dry cell batteries that can deliver about 45 miles per charge. Moreover, it provides you with an onboard charging system so that you can enjoy long days of work easily and comfortably.
To provide you with total control over the vehicles in every condition, the vehicle provides you with aluminum rims, dual A-arm suspension with nitrogen assist, and 26-inch tires. You can even switch to the four-wheel-drive activation with just a single button.
Among its other feature, the Sector E1 boasts a split operating system that runs a 12v battery to power standard accessories, and any additional accessory is added at the consumer level. Additionally, the direct-drive and instant torque 220 ft-lbs. allows for a top speed of 25 mph.
Towing And Cargo Capacity
The Hisun Sector E1 has a greater towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. and a cargo capacity of 500 lbs. which is quite similar to Polaris EV LI-ION. With this exceptional towing capacity, you do not have to worry about the excessive strain over the battery.
Apart from that, the model features contoured and comfortable seats that include a convertible rear-facing bench seat and a forward-facing bench seat. The contoured front seats offer a space for two, which is paired with a convertible rear-facing bench seat for four people.
Suspension
As compared to the other Electric UTVs, Sector E1 offers the smallest suspension with a 7-inch dual A-arm suspension in the back and front of the vehicle. Nevertheless, you get exceptional stopping power with the four hydraulic braking systems.
Although Sector E1 is a slightly lesser-known brand in the electronic market, its features in terms of engine and suspension are worth considering.
Warranty
Hisun Sector E1 is known for its precise whisper quiet-ride with the high performance that you can expect from the Hisun manufacturers. Moreover, there is zero emission that makes it environmentally friendly.
With the price tag of $9,999 and the several features included, you get everything you need in this small electric UTV. Along with that, Sector E1 provides you with two years of warranty, which is quite standard for most electric UTVs.
Final Thoughts
Electric utility vehicles are growing in popularity and usage day by day. As people are becoming environmentalists, they have started turning to electric vehicles for their commute.
The step towards the Electric UTVs is great as it offers safety for passengers, passersby, drivers, and the environment as well. However, you still need options to choose the right Electric UTV as per your requirement. Whether you want to ride around your farm or take it out on a long journey, you need a reliable electric vehicle.
Before going forward, you should check the price range as well as the features it offers. Not all utility vehicles are the same. Some have different specs, so it is wise to have a list of desired specs before you make a purchase.
The five best electric vehicles that we have recommended are equipped with all the smart and advanced features. By looking and reading the reviews, we hope that you can make a well-informed decision.
