Out With The Ranger EV – In With The New Ranger XP Kinetic
Polaris isn’t new to the electric UTV market. In fact, they’ve been making an electric version of the Ranger since 2010 when they introduced the Ranger EV. This was their first, and for the longest time, their only electric OHV. That is until the 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic hits the market.
But, it looks like the Ranger EV might not have a future. Although there are a few 2022 models still in stock, it’s not included in the Polaris 2023 lineup.
Of course, Polaris could always roll it out in the future with updates, but this seems unlikely since the Ranger XP Kinetic is such a significant jump in electric UTV development.
The Ranger XP Kinetic essentially left the Ranger EV in the dust.
Polaris Partners With Zero Motorcycles
Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic is the result of a partnership between Polaris and Zero Motorcycles.
In 2020, these two companies announced a 10 year partnership that is a keystone of Polaris rEV’d up program, a plan to offer buyers electric vehicle options for all of its core segments including ORVs and snowmobiles. They’re hoping to make all this happen by 2025, so, no doubt, big developments are on the horizon.
Zero Motorcycles has been designing and manufacturing electric motorcycles since 2006, it’s the only motorcycle company to bring an entire electric product line to market. They’re an industry leader in EV technology, subsystems, components, and designs.
So, this partnership with Zero Motorcycles is essential to meeting the 2025 goal. Polaris will be using Zero’s powertrain technology in it’s ORVs and snowmobiles.
Zero Motorcycles proven expertise with electric powertrains was the missing secret sauce to take Polaris’ electric UTVs to the next level.
Introducing The New 2023 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic
Two trim options are available: Premium (starts at $25,000) and Ultimate (starts at $30,000).
Compared to the $14,700 sticker price of the 2022 Ranger EV, this is a significant jump in price. However, this price jump is warranted as it also marks a dramatic jump in technology and performance.
Both models have seating for three, the same overall design, dimensions and tow/payload/load capabilities. But, there are three main differences between the two trim options – batteries, onboard charger and a built in 7″ screen.
The Ultimate includes two batteries (29.8 kWh) versus only one battery (14.9 kWh) in the Premium. This means that the Premium can travel a maximum of 45 miles on a single charge while the Ultimate is capable of a maximum of 80 miles.
Plus, the Ultimate includes a factory installed 6 kW onboard charger vs a 3 kW charger in the Premium, this allows for much faster charging in the Ultimate.
In addition, the Ultimate also comes with a 7″ screen powered with Ride Command+ to easily access a variety of features right from the vehicle.
Big Improvements In Polaris Electric UTV From 2022 To 2023
2022 Ranger EV
New 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic
Premium/Ultimate
- Price: $14,700
- Motor: Single 48-Volt, High-Efficiency, AC-Induction Motor
- Range: 35-45 miles
- HP: 30 hp
- Max Speed: 25 mph
- Battery: Traditional Lead-Acid
- Suspension:
- Front: MacPherson Strut; 9″ Travel
- Rear: Dual A-Arm, IRS; 9″ Travel
- Tires: Carlisle 25 x 9 x 12
- Ground Clearance: 10”
- Overall Dimensions (L x W x H): 110” x 58” x 73”
- Box Bed Dimensions (L x W x H): 32” x 42” x 11.5”
- Box Capacity: 500 lbs
- Payload Capacity: 1,000 lbs
- Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs
- Price: $25,000 / $30,000
- Motor: Internal Permanent Magnet AC Motor, Active Air and Liquid
- Range: 45/80 miles
- HP: 110 hp
- Max Speed: 60 mph
- Battery: Lithium Ion 14.9 / 29.8 kWh
- Suspension:
- Front: Dual A-Arm 10″ Travel
- Rear: Dual A-Arm, IRS 10″ Travel
- Tires: Pro Armor X-Terrain 29 x 9 x 14
- Ground Clearance: 14″
- Overall Dimensions (L x W x H): 120″x 62.5″ x 78″
- Box Bed Dimensions (L x W x H): 36.75″ x 54.25″ x 12.5″
- Box Capacity: 1,250 lbs
- Payload Capacity: 1,500 lbs
- Towing Capacity: 2,500 lbs
Power & Performance
The 2023 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic blows all other electric UTVs out of the water.
With an incredible 110 HP, this electric vehicle delivers speed and performance on par with comparable gas models. In addition, this electric UTV can tow 2,000 lbs and haul 1,250 lbs.
For comparison, the gas Ranger XP 1000 has 82 hp, 2,500 lbs of towing and 1,000 lbs of hauling. So, with the electric Ranger XP Kinetic you pick up significant hp (+28 hp), sacrifice some towing capability (-500 lbs), but then pick up a bit of haul capacity (+250 lbs).
The electric powertrain is fine tuned to deliver power on demand, as needed. It’s capable of an almost instantaneous 140 lb-ft of torque for fast exhilarating acceleration.
Three drive modes further fine tune power delivery for an improved, responsive driving experience. Eco+ mode for maximum efficiency, Standard mode for day-to-day riding and Sport mode for fast dynamic acceleration.
Electric powertrains have less moving parts than gas powertrains, this means a longer lifespan with less overall maintenance. With an electric vehicle you no longer have to change the engine oil, change the fuel filer, replace the spark plugs, check the external fuel hoses or change the air filter.
Polaris is so confident in this electric powertrain that it comes with 3 years coverage in addition to 5 years battery coverage.
No need to shout while hitting the trails. Like all electric vehicles, the Ranger XP Kinetic runs quiet. This makes it ideal for hunting and working around animals.
Range
Polaris estimates that the Ranger XP Kinetic will get between 40 – 80 miles per charge depending on the activity.
- Trail Riding: 40 – 60 miles
- Hunting: 50- 70 miles
- Farming & Ranching: 60 – 80 miles
- Property Maintenance: 70 – 80 miles
Determining mileage isn’t an exact science. There are several factors that can impact mileage performance including terrain, load, weather and driving style.
For example, riding up steep hills in the mountains takes a lot more battery power than tooling around a flat meadow. Extreme temperatures, carrying a lot of weight and aggressive riding with a lot of acceleration will also drain battery power more quickly.
Related Post: Electric UTVs – All Your Questions Answered
Charging
The Ranger XP Kinetic comes standard with a combined Level 1 / Level 2 charger that can use either a 120V or 240V outlet.
With electric vehicle charging, there are a few things you need know:
- You can use either 110V or 240V
- There are two types of vehicle chargers – Level 1 (110V) and Level 2 (240V)
- Level 1 is slow charging, Level 2 is accelerated charging
- The onboard battery charger that comes standard is 3kW (Premium) or 6kW (Ultimate)
- There is a 3kW batter charger upgrade available
- Premium trim has 1 battery and Ultimate trim has 2 batteries
Most houses are primarily wired for 110 volts, but also have 240 volt wiring where needed. Air conditioners, electric water heaters, electric stoves and dryers are all heavy power users that require 240 volts, so most homes will have 240 wiring in place to accommodate this extra load.
Vehicle chargers are also heavy power users that can benefit from a 240V outlet, plus it will make vehicle charging much faster. So, if you’re looking to fully embrace electric vehicles, then putting in a 240V outlet could be money well spent. It costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000 – $1,500 to get installed, but prices vary and are dependent on a variety of factors.
Or, you can charge your electric vehicle without any upgrades or investments using a standard 110V garage outlet, but it’s slow.
Using 240V and purchasing the 3kW battery charger upgrade is enough to cut the charging time down to 3 – 4 hours vs. 10 – 20 hours.
Ride Command+
In 2022, Polaris introduced Ride Command+, an improved and revamped version of the original Ride Command app. When originally introduced in 2016, it was touted as a way for OHV enthusiasts to ‘share experiences and build community’.
Ride Command is an interactive digital platform that allows riders to use a cell phone, computer, or 7″ vehicle touchscreen display system to find trails, plan routes and track rides.
With currently a million miles of marked OHV and snowmobile trails, it’s this database of trails that is its primary feature.
Ride Command+ builds on the original with these additional features:
Vehicle Health – Will run a diagnostic report, monitor fuel level, charge level, charge time remaining and vehicle readiness.
Vehicle Locator – Helps you find your vehicle by using GPS co-ordinates if you get turned around while out hiking or hunting. Can also be used to track stolen vehicles.
Bump Alert – 24/7 vehicle monitoring that notifies you if your vehicle is bumped
Ride Tracking+ – Automatically track rides using vehicle’s GPS location without having to use mobile data. This feature also allows users to generate a full report of rides, including time logged, miles traveled, waypoints and elevation changes.
Beginning in 2023, Ride Command+ will come factory standard on all 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic models and all 2023 Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Trail Boss Edition models. Ride Command+ is a paid app, but on these vehicles where it’s built in, you get a 36 month trial.
On most other models, it’s an accessory add-on. But moving forward, Polaris plans to roll out more vehicles factory standard with Ride Command+. When purchased as an accessory, you get a 12 month trial.
At the end of the trial period, if you would like to keep the Ride Command+ service, it is $99 a year.
When Can I Buy A 2023 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic?
2023 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetics are set to arrive at dealerships the summer of 2022. But, Covid complications, shipping delays and component/supply problems are sure to create ongoing problems that have no quick easy solutions.
Currently, the Polaris website indicates that both trims are Sold Out.
Plus, this Polaris electric UTV is likely to be a big seller, so you may want to pre-order.
Featured image 2023 Polaris Electric UTV the Ranger XP Kinetic by Polaris