Need Info, Electric Polaris Ranger UTV.

bucktaker · Feb 22, 2015

check out the PRC Forum....Several issues with EV and batterry life/range/cost/

Personally I love my 14 570 Midsize Ranger and would not trade it for a EV regardless of price

sawtooth · Feb 23, 2015

bucktaker said:
check out the PRC Forum....Several issues with EV and batterry life/range/cost/ Personally I love my 14 570 Midsize Ranger and would not trade it for a EV regardless of price

I agree the gas version has a lot of positives. But our group switch from gas carts to electric 6 years ago and have had a lot more success traversing to and from hunting locations. It's even amazing how much more game we see going to and from stands. During this time we have used beefed up golf carts with bigger motors, tires and rear lockers which have done great for most situations. We do have some very steep hills though that can benefit from 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel disk brakes. After riding a friends 2014 last year I was sold.

sawtooth · Feb 23, 2015

sawtooth · Feb 23, 2015

The EV is one we just purchased and here is a pic of my golf cart. It's has long range, 12 hp motor and will go like ****. Ride is not nearly as good as ranger and neither are the brakes. Going to sell it this summer though.

By the way most of the problems were related to the early charging system (redesigned in 2012) and the algorithm (charging too fast). If you change the charging rate to setting 11 you will not have issues. Takes about 1-2 hours longer for batteries that have been run way down but keeps batteries from boiling which results in little water loss and increase battery cell life.

bucktaker · Feb 23, 2015

sawtooth said:
The EV is one we just purchased and here is a pic of my golf cart. It's has long range, 12 hp motor and will go like ****. Ride is not nearly as good as ranger and neither are the brakes. Going to sell it this summer though.

By the way most of the problems were related to the early charging system (redesigned in 2012) and the algorithm (charging too fast). If you change the charging rate to setting 11 you will not have issues. Takes about 1-2 hours longer for batteries that have been run way down but keeps batteries from boiling which results in little water loss and increase battery cell life.

Good to know they have attempted to resolve the charging issues, What is the life time and cost of replacement batteries? Agreed that my gas motor is too loud to sneak in but I have found that entering the woods early solves that.

Rode in one EV before I purchased my 570 and was suprised how it climbed a steep trail with three adults on board.

sawtooth · Feb 23, 2015

That's the part that sucks. 5-6 years provided batteries are cared for properly. Then $1500-1800 to replace. Some are converting to lithium batteries with 25% more run time, 10 year life, and half the weight. But still expensive and maybe 5-8 years before they are affordable to most. Hopefully by time for me to replace they come down in cost.

t320pilot · Feb 23, 2015

Actually it all evens out when you consider the EV owner will not pay for: gas, motor oil, oil filters, air filters, and......
The EV is QUIET!!!!!

bucktaker · Feb 23, 2015

t320pilot said:
Actually it all evens out when you consider the EV owner will not pay for: gas, motor oil, oil filters, air filters, and......
The EV is QUIET!!!!!

Must be new math, Check with me in 5 yrs to see how much I have spent on fuel,oil,filter vs the EV cost of ownership.... EV has its place for sure but its not for the low cost.

My uses may be different as we only use ours to traverse a steep hill on our lake property an EV would have worked too but I felt the total cost or potential cost wasnt worth the risk

Xfaxman · Feb 23, 2015

For me it is worth the extra money, for the convenience in cold weather, of being able to turn the key, push the reverse button and back out of the garage, in less time than it took for the glow plugs to heat on our previous UTV.

In any weather, I sure hated to start the engine to drive a mile round trip to get the mail.

This was the first one, a 20hp gas engine, 25mph.

Second one, a 20hp diesel engine, 25mph.

The best one, a 30hp three phase AC induction motor, 25mph.

Interceptor · Feb 24, 2015

Xfaxman said:
They haven't made any significant changes in the later models that I have heard of.

There are actually lots of changes for 2015. It's a whole new machine.

Xfaxman · Feb 24, 2015

Xfaxman said:
I'd say go for it! They haven't made any significant changes in the later models that I have heard of.

Interceptor said:
There are actually lots of changes for 2015. It's a whole new machine.

Define "a whole new machine".

All I see is cosmetic changes and suspension tweaks.

I just looked at the Website again and don't see any significant changes from my 2013.

Here is a Snip:

sawtooth · Feb 25, 2015

Yes I agree. I have looked also and pretty much just 1" more suspension travel on front and cosmetic revisions. I actually don't like the new parking brake location in middle of seat as now you can't ride three in the middle. That seems a little goofy to me. I have called the dealer and am buying the 13. Seems to me that's the way to go as I don't see any real mechanical, frame or electrical changes except the charging system improvement back in 2012. Just can't pass it up for that price. These machines must be pretty awesome as a friend of mine has had a couple "older" Bad Boy Buggies and sold both after the first year. BUT he absolutely loves his EV plus bought a brand new Ranger 900 just for playing around. Never owned a Polaris product before but so far I'm impressed.

sawtooth · Feb 25, 2015

I'll post pics next week once I bring it home. Then will add a roof, front rack and eventually more aggressive tires.

Interceptor · Feb 25, 2015

Xfaxman said:
Define "a whole new machine".

All I see is cosmetic changes and suspension tweaks.

I guess it depends what's important to you, but I don't think the changes are insignificant. It's a whole new chassis. For someone considering a cab it's a major improvement. I'm also looking at a leftover 2014 for $3000 off msrp and the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is that I want the new chassis and pro-fit cab. The cabs for the pre 2015 suck In comparison. They are also saying standard tilt steering and 20% increase in towing capacity. None of this may matter to you, but that doesn't mean it's not significant.

Xfaxman · Feb 26, 2015

Interceptor said:
I guess it depends what's important to you, but I don't think the changes are insignificant. It's a whole new chassis. For someone considering a cab it's a major improvement. I'm also looking at a leftover 2014 for $3000 off msrp and the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is that I want the new chassis and pro-fit cab. The cabs for the pre 2015 suck In comparison. They are also saying standard tilt steering and 20% increase in towing capacity. None of this may matter to you, but that doesn't mean it's not significant.

Thanks for the clarification. I am not interested in a cab, so didn't notice that change.

Are there any changes to the batteries or charging system?

Interceptor · Feb 26, 2015

Xfaxman said:
Thanks for the clarification. I am not interested in a cab, so didn't notice that change.

Are there any changes to the batteries or charging system?

I am not interested in an EV, so I don't know. The claim of 20% increased towing capacity makes me think there's some change in the drivetrain. They are calling the new chassis/cab system revolutionary, and after seeing them at the dealer last night I've decided to go with the 2015. If I wasn't planning on a cab I'd have no problem with a 2013-2014.

sawtooth · Feb 27, 2015

Xfaxman said:
Thanks for the clarification. I am not interested in a cab, so didn't notice that change. Are there any changes to the batteries or charging system?

Nope no changes in batteries or charger at this time. Most guys using EVs are not as into the cabs due to limited range and speed plus added weight thus reducing range. That being said I have still seen a couple though. Now if I were going gas I would be all about a cab for sure. For us when we're hunting we have so much cloths on in cold weather with the wind at 10mph and temp at 0F is not a issue.

sawtooth · Mar 9, 2015

Well guy at dealer was trying to screw me. It ended up being a 2012 with a lot of sun damage. He thought I would buy anyway. However I had a backup plan as there was a 2014 camo for just $700 more about 30min away. All worked out but man I hate dealers like that. He really couldn't believe I drove 4 hours and just left. Didn't even tell him I had another. Lol

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