CURRENTS+
EV RANGER RESULT OF ZERO+POLARIS PARTNERSHIP
A full-size RANGER will be the first electric vehicle as part of the previously announced Polaris’ “rEV’d up” strategy in collaboration with ZERO Motorcycles. The vehicle will launch in late December; targeting delivery to dealers in early 2022. “Our rEV’d up strategy positions Polaris to help define yet another chapter in powersports innovation,” said Polaris interim CEO Mike Speetzen. “With the rising interest in electrified vehicles, we are investing in electrification in order to meet the needs of current customers as well as appeal to tomorrow’s powersports riders. The all-new electric RANGER is our latest effort aimed at leading the industry forward in electrified powersports vehicles.” As part of the Polaris rEV’d up strategy, the all-new full-size electric RANGER spearheads the company’s long-term plan to accelerate its leadership in powersports electrification. Design and development efforts for the all-new electric RANGER are underway in Wyoming, MN, with manufacturing for North American vehicles to take place at Polaris’ facility in Huntsville, AL. “The strength of our partnership with Zero Motorcycles and our own investments in electrification R&D enable us to leverage advancements in electric powertrains and performance to drive the off-road industry into the future,” added Mike Donoughe, senior VP and chief technical officer, Polaris Inc. “This will be one of the most technically advanced off-road vehicles on the market and reinforces Polaris’ position as the innovation leader in powersports.” “As our top-selling off-road vehicle brand, RANGER has continually set the benchmark as the hardest working, smoothest riding UTV, leading the market in rider-inspired innovation,” said Steve Menneto, president of Polaris Off Road. “The new electric powertrain will elevate the RANGER platform to a whole new level of capability, durability and performance.” “We’ve actively engaged our RANGER customers, and without a doubt, there is significant demand for even higher levels of performance and capability,” added Menneto. “They’ve expressed some very specific unmet needs, and our new electric full-size RANGER will effectively address them, unlocking a truly enhanced off-road experience.”
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BATTERY CONSORTIUM TOGETHER
BRINGS
OEMS
Honda Motor Co., Ltd, KTM AG, Piaggio & C SpA and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd have come together to create a Swappable Batteries Consortium for Motorcycles and Light Electric Vehicles. Part of the Paris Climate Agreement and with an eye “electromobility” in the future, the founding members believe a standardized swappable battery system will promote widespread use of light electric vehicles. Battery standards will also reduce vehicle and infrastructure costs and contribute to a more sustainable battery life-cycle management. “Sustainability is one of the key drivers to the future of mobility and electrification will play a major role in achieving this goal,” says KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “The constraints of electric drivetrains regarding range, charging time and initial cost are still evident. To overcome these challenges and provide a better customer experience, a swappable battery system based on international technical standards will become a viable solution.” “Considering customer convenience, standardization of swappable batteries and wide adoption of battery systems is vital, which is why the four member manufacturers agreed to form the Consortium,” adds Noriaki Abe, managing officer, motorcycle operations, Honda Motor Co. “Honda views improving the customers’ usage environment as an area to explore cooperation with other manufacturers, while bringing better products and services to customers through competition. Honda will work hard on both fronts to be the ‘chosen’ manufacturer for customer mobility.” Set to kick off in May, standardized technical specifications for swappable battery systems for mopeds, motorcycles, trikes and quadricycles. The OEMs are working with interested stakeholders and National, European and International standardization bodies. “Considering the entire lifecycle, a widespread application of batteries compliant with a common standard will support secondary use as well as circular economy. We are glad to be part of the Consortium as we strive towards our goals in the e-mobility sector.”
