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.

BATTERY CONSORTIUM BRINGS OEMS TOGETHER

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.”

“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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“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.”

KTM DOES DEAL WITH VARTA

Two Austrian Firms Set To Take eMobility Industry Lead

Charge! At the same time as the KTM Group (GasGas, Husqvarna, KTM) was signing on as a founding member of the battery consortium, CEO Stefan Pierer was strengthening ties with Austrian neighbor VARTA AG. Already Europe’s leading Lithium-Ion battery manufacturer, VARTA has been expanding at an electrifying rate. Focus of the VARTA/KTM tie-up will be development of low-voltage battery platforms for vehicles from 250 W to 20 kW peak power.

“With VARTA Innovation in Graz, we are strongly positioned for VARTA AG’s materials research and development in Austria,” explains CEO Michael Tojner. “The site is being massively expanded to drive the development of large battery cell formats for electromobility.”

KTM is ready to take the lead. “We see ourselves as a technology leader in the two-wheeler sector in Europe and want to set the tone especially in the development of two-wheeled electric vehicles,” adds Herr Pierer. “We will cooperate more closely in the e-mobility sector and thus send a strong signal in and from Europe with highly efficient battery systems in the electric two-wheeler sector.”

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FANTIC FOR USA

Tucker Charges Into e-Power Arena

E-Power is here! Tucker Powersports has taken on a range of electric mountain bikes from Fantic. To lead the charge the distribution giant turned to Fantic’s 50 years of engineering expertise and focus on the customer experience. “At Fantic there is no room for shortcuts, excuses or compromises,” the historic Italian motorcycle and bicycle maker claims. “We are all-in, dedicated to our ambition, guiding our industry to a new era.”

The worldwide electric bike industry has experienced tremendous growth and is expected to grow by more than 50% and reach nearly $35 billion in 2026. “We are taking steps to help our dealer network broaden their product offering which will draw in a new audience looking for fun-to-ride bikes and scooters, along with the clothing and gear that make the experience even better,” said Brad Turner, Tucker’s VP of Sales. “Our launch of the e-Power line with over 200 products makes it one of our largest new product programs ever.”

Leading Tucker’s foray into e-Power are Fantic’s XEF1.9, XTF 1.5, XTF 1.5 Carbon, XMF 1.7 and XMF 1.7 Carbon. All five new bikes feature name-brand components, full suspension and disc brakes. Each bike is available in several frame sizes and the premium models come with carbonfiber frames. All Fantics feature 36-volt, 250W mid-drive motors from Brose.

Tucker advised their dealers of their new e-Power program and has provided a full digital catalog of products that include hard-to-get electric mountain bikes, electric scooters, helmets, gloves, apparel, elbow and knee pads and braces, tires, lubricants, cleaners, tools, locks, alarms, handlebars, carriers, and straps. Several of the new products are sourced from current Tucker partners like 100%, Muc-Off and Strider, along with bicycle tools and equipment from Tucker’s BikeMaster brand. Tucker will also implement training and support programs for their e-Power dealers, including additional point of sale supplies and digital marketing materials.

TUCKER READY TO SCOOT

The Fantic eBikes are not the only electrifying news from Tucker Powersports. Everything is bigger in Texas, including 16 models of electric scooters! A good part of their nearly 100-page e-Power catalog is devoted to “kick” scooters… although with capabilities that run from a fun commuter platform to serious off-road performer, and ranges of up to 80 miles per charge, there really isn’t anything to kick about. Dualtron and Minimotors Speedway models include options ranging from hydraulic disc brakes, ABS and no-puncture inflatable tires to LED lights and swappable 72volt battery packs.

Once considered just for kids, electric scooters have evolved to meet the needs like the emerging “last mile” commuters. With capabilities that run from a fun commuter platform to serious offroad performer, and ranges of up to 80 miles per charge, these are a far cry from your kids toys. Retail prices run from $1029 to $4690. Tucker’s trained sales reps will assist dealers in ordering a product mix that meets the needs of their customers.

“This is just a start,” explains Marc McAllister, President and CEO of Tucker Powersports. “Electric vehicles are a big part of the world’s future transportation and recreation. The mission of our e-Power line is to help our dealer network take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to expand their business and bring in a whole new segment of customers.”

SPEAKING OF SCOOTERS…

eSkootr Championship Ready To Charge!

The eSkootr Championship (eSC) has officially unveiled the cuttingedge S1-X model designed by legendary Williams Advanced Engineering that will contest the series’ first races in 2021. Carbonfiber chassis, fully adjustable front and rear suspension and the Williams motor make these racers capable of speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph) and cornering angles of 50 degrees.

“We’ve been developing a series of prototype race eSkootrs for the past year, so it’s a great feeling to finally reveal the S1-X,” says eSkootr Championship CEO Hrag Sarkissian. “What’s been most rewarding is just how many different elements have successfully come together to make it all happen – we’ve been pioneering new technology across every step of the process. We already know the S1-X is an extremely fast and fun machine – now we want to get as many racers as possible to try it as we push towards our first race.”

Formed in 2020, the Electric Scooter Championship is the world’s first micromobility motorsport series. Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi and ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz are founding stakeholders in the organization. Stay tuned for updates: https://esc.live/