I think this thing would be great for all of the medical mary jane farms in California. The thing the consumer has to understand is when we switch to electric vehicles is will we have enough power to charge them? Ohh wait, thats a different discussion :)
Any plans for a follow up review? This is still a ground breaking machine in my book, and I don't think anybody has posted anything about how it performs as a long term ownership experience yet. Would also be good to actually see it in action too. :) I do expect these vehicles to be less useful in the winter, not so much because of poor traction from the special tyres - but just as much because the battery capacity drops as the temperature does - then climbs again in the spring! :)
Hi. It's been six months from your review now. Do you still use the Ranger EV on your farm? Have you had any problems with batteries, motor or something else? Is it still quiet like when it was new? Thanks.
@gorodph We still use it but with winter in full force it gets used less often.... No serious problems. We've found the controller (throttle) seems to be operating strangely, sometimes requiring more movement to get the machine moving. Once moving though it seems okay.
@ATVTVCOM I do not see how the torque of electric "surprises" you when electric motors have always crushed diesel and gas engines in torque performance. For EV's that used DC motors they had to turn them down to get more run time. If run time was not important then the older DC ev's would out pull a gas one with ease, but with only 30 minutes run time. This Polaris EV is AC. AC motors are more efficient than DC motors so the torque can be turned up much more without sacrificing range.
Maybe in the USA this Ranger EV is not about saving money but here in Slovakia (EU) it IS also about saving money. Today the price of gas here is approximately 6USD (or more) per US gallon. So you can save some money if you use your Ranger everyday for work on farm. I'm planning to start a small farm next year so I'm really happy to see that manufacturers like Polaris make off-road working vehicules. Good job and nice review.
@gorodph The thing to take into consideration is the cost of electricity! I was amazed at how much charging the EV increased my monthly electricity usage. SO although your fuel costs may be more than ours, so too may your electricity cost more. My point was how long will it take to make up the added cost of the EV over a conventional fuel model.
@ATVTVCOM Cost of electricity is approximately 0.20USD (or a bit less) for 1kW/h. Not so bad but with lead acid batteries it is definitely not cost effective. I plan to buy a Polaris Ranger EV next year and then replace the lead acid battery pack with Thundersky LiFeYPO4 3,2V cells with higher capacity to improve range and life of battery pack. With prices of LiFeYPO4 batteries, prices of electricity and prices of gas or diesel it IS cost effective today. And the price of gas is going up...
@ATVTVCOM I forgot to ask something... what is the average life (in hours) of gas powered Ranger (or another UTV)? I've never had any ATV or UTV so I don't know. I just know that electric motor can run thousands of hours with no problems at all.
@gorodph Well, I personally know of one with over 8000 miles on it, but I'm not sure how typical that is. I believe that Polaris engines run thousands of hours - it's the transmissions and other small items that break and wear faster.
According to Polaris it qualifies for a tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price. As always, verify that with a tax professional before putting "Greezbhal on YouTube said it was ok" on your return. Haha.
Been waiting for a review on this thing for a while now - great news you are going for a long term test! It makes a lot of sense as a work machine and you're immune to fuel prices/shortages. There isn't a machine quite like it right now and Polaris have really stole a march on their rivals!
Well, I'm not the least bit interested in it. But, I do believe there is a market for it. I think there will be alot of people who use their utvs for hunting and work only, that will go out and get one of these.
@yotamanwv Have to admit, for work it's pretty awesome. Just used it to mow a couple acres of pasture. It was nice to here the mower over the machine I tow it with;-)
I think this thing would be great for all of the medical mary jane farms in California. The thing the consumer has to understand is when we switch to electric vehicles is will we have enough power to charge them? Ohh wait, thats a different discussion :)
dubya12825 11 months ago
Any plans for a follow up review? This is still a ground breaking machine in my book, and I don't think anybody has posted anything about how it performs as a long term ownership experience yet. Would also be good to actually see it in action too. :) I do expect these vehicles to be less useful in the winter, not so much because of poor traction from the special tyres - but just as much because the battery capacity drops as the temperature does - then climbs again in the spring! :)
fanjules 11 months ago
@fanjules We should have our follow up(s) soon.
ATVTVCOM 11 months ago
I started a Polaris Ranger EV discussion group for us over on Yahoo -
autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/polarisrangerev/
kz1300club 1 year ago
Polaris is going too far.....
hondaisthebest14 1 year ago
Hi. It's been six months from your review now. Do you still use the Ranger EV on your farm? Have you had any problems with batteries, motor or something else? Is it still quiet like when it was new? Thanks.
gorodph 1 year ago
@gorodph We still use it but with winter in full force it gets used less often.... No serious problems. We've found the controller (throttle) seems to be operating strangely, sometimes requiring more movement to get the machine moving. Once moving though it seems okay.
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
@ATVTVCOM I do not see how the torque of electric "surprises" you when electric motors have always crushed diesel and gas engines in torque performance. For EV's that used DC motors they had to turn them down to get more run time. If run time was not important then the older DC ev's would out pull a gas one with ease, but with only 30 minutes run time. This Polaris EV is AC. AC motors are more efficient than DC motors so the torque can be turned up much more without sacrificing range.
EETechs 1 year ago
@EETechs It 'surprises' because it is an unexpected feeling for one used to gas-powered vehicles.
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
Maybe in the USA this Ranger EV is not about saving money but here in Slovakia (EU) it IS also about saving money. Today the price of gas here is approximately 6USD (or more) per US gallon. So you can save some money if you use your Ranger everyday for work on farm. I'm planning to start a small farm next year so I'm really happy to see that manufacturers like Polaris make off-road working vehicules. Good job and nice review.
gorodph 1 year ago
@gorodph The thing to take into consideration is the cost of electricity! I was amazed at how much charging the EV increased my monthly electricity usage. SO although your fuel costs may be more than ours, so too may your electricity cost more. My point was how long will it take to make up the added cost of the EV over a conventional fuel model.
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
@ATVTVCOM Cost of electricity is approximately 0.20USD (or a bit less) for 1kW/h. Not so bad but with lead acid batteries it is definitely not cost effective. I plan to buy a Polaris Ranger EV next year and then replace the lead acid battery pack with Thundersky LiFeYPO4 3,2V cells with higher capacity to improve range and life of battery pack. With prices of LiFeYPO4 batteries, prices of electricity and prices of gas or diesel it IS cost effective today. And the price of gas is going up...
gorodph 1 year ago
@gorodph Good information. Thanks.
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
@ATVTVCOM I forgot to ask something... what is the average life (in hours) of gas powered Ranger (or another UTV)? I've never had any ATV or UTV so I don't know. I just know that electric motor can run thousands of hours with no problems at all.
gorodph 1 year ago
@gorodph Well, I personally know of one with over 8000 miles on it, but I'm not sure how typical that is. I believe that Polaris engines run thousands of hours - it's the transmissions and other small items that break and wear faster.
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
According to Polaris it qualifies for a tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price. As always, verify that with a tax professional before putting "Greezbhal on YouTube said it was ok" on your return. Haha.
Greezbhal 1 year ago
Wonder if this qualifies for an EV tax credit?
Greezbhal 1 year ago
@Greezbhal Actually I bet it does!
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
a must have!!!
Mr976548 1 year ago
Hippies need utv's too!
FirebirdjoeLt1 1 year ago
good atv to ride
ESP471 1 year ago
Been waiting for a review on this thing for a while now - great news you are going for a long term test! It makes a lot of sense as a work machine and you're immune to fuel prices/shortages. There isn't a machine quite like it right now and Polaris have really stole a march on their rivals!
fanjules 1 year ago
Well, I'm not the least bit interested in it. But, I do believe there is a market for it. I think there will be alot of people who use their utvs for hunting and work only, that will go out and get one of these.
yotamanwv 1 year ago
@yotamanwv Have to admit, for work it's pretty awesome. Just used it to mow a couple acres of pasture. It was nice to here the mower over the machine I tow it with;-)
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
i dont like the electric idea... when you go out with a gas powerd you can bring some extra gas, once your battery dies you are screwed >_<
kowal789 1 year ago
@kowal789 We carry an extra can of volts with us ;-)
ATVTVCOM 1 year ago
@ATVTVCOM thAts smart
ESP471 1 year ago
@kowal789 same here
KHSrider12x 1 year ago