Oh, Here's Polaris' Electric ATV Way Before You're Supposed to See It

Though I've recently stated that electric motorcycles just don't work yet, in multiple articles, I do think electrics have a place in the outdoors and powersports industry. Where do they belong you ask? Playing in the dirt. And that reality has been something I've been passionately talking about for years now. 

Dirt is the great equalizer, as most folks who use powersports on dirt, gravel, in snow, or in the woods, aren't traversing hundreds of miles each day. They're going on a trail, packing in for a backcountry camp, hunting, fishing, or otherwise recreating in short bursts. Perfect for something with limited range. Likewise, EVs in the woods is just the coolest thing, as you get to listen to the sounds of nature around you, whether that's aspen leaves whipping past you, bull elks bugling, or just birds chirping. It's the best of both worlds. 

So when I stumbled across a patent that Polaris just recently filed for an all-electric ATV, my first reaction was "Heck yeah!, let's get it into the woods right now. But let me dive into what the patent says and maybe make a prediction on when we'd likely see it in dealerships. 

The patent was filed earlier this year, but was only recently published, and describes and shows pictures of a pretty standard-looking ATV. It looks like Polaris' Sportsman models, to be precise, as it has the ATV's styling, headlamps, and general appearance and dimensions. But within the patent summary, it states that this particular ATV is electric. 

"An electric powertrain is supported by the frame, and the electric powertrain comprises a first motor longitudinally aligned with at least a portion of the first frame portion and a second motor longitudinally aligned with at least a portion of the third frame portion. The electric powertrain also includes a battery operably coupled to each of the first motor and the second motor, and the battery is longitudinally aligned with at least a portion of the second frame portion," states the patent's abstract. That's pretty definitive if I do say so myself. 

In the drawings associated with the patent, you can see that the frame supports a small battery pack, with two electric motors, one on each end of the ATV. One of those motors, however, is coupled to the ATV's gearbox, which is interesting since most other EVs don't use gears. Here's where a bit of speculation comes into play, but I'd hazard to guess that those gears are low-range gears, making it easier for the EV ATV to surmount obstacles or get out of muddy, slippery situations. 

The patent also talks about how the EV ATV could have multiple different riding modes, including "turf-mode, one-wheel drive ("1 WD"), two-wheel drive ("2WD"), three-wheel drive ("3WD"), or four-wheel/all-wheel drive ("4WD" or "AWD") capabilities." That'd all be pretty easy for Polaris to accomplish, given that's just programming and not some complicated mechanic actuation. But suffice it to say, all of that is pretty cool. The patent further shows off a host of accessories that customers can purchase to make life and work and hunting easier, with a wheelbarrow attachment, attachment for gardening supplies, storage compartments, a plow, and more. 

Now, this patent falls in line with Polaris' other EV initiative, the EV Ranger UTV. I wouldn't be surprised is parts from that UTV were used for this ATV, as well as some of the learning and engineering, too. And again, I can where this EV ATV would be hugely beneficial, as there's a host of folks who absolutely hate the sound ATVs and UTVs make in the woods. Likewise, though deer and elk don't care about those noises, it can't hurt to silently get closer. 

As for timing, Polaris just released its Sportsman lineup only a few short months ago. I think we'll likely see it either next spring or late summer. Based on Polaris' recent quarterly revenue call and disclosure, though, we might see it sooner to help bring consumer excitement back to the brand, as well as boost the stock price.