Innovative Iron Award Winner: Polaris’ Ranger XP Kinetic Electric Utility Vehicle
The Top Construction Landscape and Rental Equipment Launched in 2023
The world of off-highway machinery is evolving — battery-powered units, hydrogen engines, luxury and economy tiering, machine control automation — but maybe the biggest evolution is that everyone wants a compact machine. Small, tool-carrying construction equipment now make up about 50 percent of the U.S. machinery market with mini excavators and compact track loaders being the two most popular categories in America. To meet this enormous demand, machine makers released some pretty awesome machines in the past 12 months: advanced skid steers, electric asphalt pavers, entry-level grade control attachments and so much more. The 2023 Innovative Iron Awards celebrate the best of these compact equipment launches. Scouring tradeshows, visiting manufacturers, operating units, interviewing experts, this annual compilation represents the best equipment we’ve seen and experienced all year, including…
Polaris’ Ranger XP Kinetic Utility Vehicles
Electric golf carts aren’t new, but commercial-grade, off-road utility vehicles using battery power (instead of gas or diesel engines) is quite new to the American market. Off-road expert Polaris announced the first shipments of its all-new electric Ranger XP Kinetic utility vehicles earlier this year. Polaris manufactures its fully electric Ranger XP Kinetic off-road vehicles at the company’s 900,000+-sq-ft manufacturing facility located in Huntsville, Alabama. Featuring an all-electric powertrain, engineered for off-road use through Polaris’ exclusive 10-year partnership with Zero Motorcycles, the Ranger XP Kinetic sets a new benchmark for electric utility side-by-side vehicle performance and productivity, earning it a 2023 Innovative Iron Award. Congrats!
A class-leading 110 hp and 140 lb-ft of instant torque deliver maximum power and capability, including the ability to tow up to 2,500 lbs and haul a class-best 1,250 lbs. The Ranger XP Kinetic electric powertrain delivers smooth, precise control when operating at low speeds, so customers have full control while towing or backing up to a trailer, while the instantaneous torque also delivers quicker acceleration. In addition, this advanced drivetrain features fewer moving parts for lower maintenance costs and more uptime for increased productivity. Plus, the quiet electric powertrain means easier communications with coworkers, the ability to work in the early morning without waking neighbors and quieter operation around jobsites.
In April, United Rentals announced it was expanding its partnership with Polaris Commercial to include more all-electric utility vehicles that will help make jobsites cleaner, more environmentally friendly and quieter, including the new Ranger XP Kinetic.
“There used to be a concern around electric vehicles that they were less capable than their combustion engine counterparts — and that’s just not the case anymore. Electric vehicles provide a lot of benefits on the jobsite and it’s important that United Rentals’ customers have access to them, without sacrificing the task at hand,” said TJ Mahoney, vice president, supply chain, United Rentals, in the press release. “Adding Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic UTVs bolsters our UTV fleet while supporting our, and our customers’, sustainability initiatives and electrification strategy.”
Smooth Ride, Impressive Durability
The Ranger XP Kinetic features a class-leading 14-in. of ground clearance to confidently rise over obstacles, and it is equipped with 29-in., 8-ply Pro Armor X-Terrain tires for added traction and durability to crawl over jobsite debris and ruts. With 10-in. of suspension travel, XP Kinetic smooths out the bumps so customers can ride comfortably in challenging terrain — no matter where the job takes them.
The Ranger XP Kinetic also delivers excellent durability so riders can maximize their uptime and improve productivity. An electric powertrain features fewer moving parts than gas-powered models, meaning less maintenance and more time to focus on getting the job done. Ranger XP Kinetic has been torture-tested in extreme conditions and treacherous terrain and is backed by one-year factory warranty, three-year electric powertrain coverage and five-year battery coverage. What’s more, the electric powertrain does not require oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs or clutch maintenance. Scheduled maintenance costs are expected to be 70 percent less than average maintenance costs for similar gas-powered vehicles, according to Polaris. The Ranger XP Kinetic also features a full-coverage front bumper and full-body skid plate for added vehicle protection while riding on tough terrain.
And get this: All 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic models are equipped with Ride Command+ (a telematics service).
Big Performance
The Ranger XP Kinetic’s electric powertrain delivers smooth, precise control when operating at low speeds, so operators will have full control and confidence whether towing, backing up to a trailer or moving between buildings and other equipment. The unit is available as a three-seat model and offered in Premium and Ultimate trims. The Premium trim is equipped with 14.9 kWh of lithium-ion battery capacity and offers an estimated range of up-to 45 miles, while the Ultimate trim boasts 29.8 kWh of battery capacity and offers an estimated range of up-to 80 miles.
Convenient charging options are designed to fit specific customer needs and are as easy as plugging into a standard wall outlet. A 12V cargo box outlet is convenient for powering accessories like tools, electronics and communication devices or charging portable batteries. A new shifter design includes high, low, neutral and park, and features a new, integrated switch for forward and reverse, enabling customers to change direction with the flip of a switch. This new feature makes tasks like plowing fast and efficient. There are also driving modes!
Eco+: Optimizes torque and top speed for maximum range and light duty jobs
Standard: Optimizes throttle response for everyday driving and moderate-sized jobs
Sport: Optimizes throttle response for spirited driving and the toughest jobs
It’s exciting to see UTVs engineered with batteries and electric propulsion. Congrats again to Polaris for pushing the industry into greener spaces. For more info, visit polaris.com.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
