Believe it or not, electric UTVs will revolutionize the off-roading industry – here’s how
Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) are popular off-roading vehicles thanks to their versatile applications in agriculture, hunting, recreation, other general off-road riding scenarios. As electric vehicle technology continues to progress, the time is coming for electric UTVs to bring significant change to the industry.
As electric UTVs combine the latest technology with quiet and powerful electric drivetrains, these innovative machines offer several advantages over their combustion engine-powered counterparts, including low maintenance, reduced noise, and higher performance.
Electric UTVs: a low-maintenance advantage
A key benefit of electric UTVs is their low maintenance requirement. Owners of traditional gasoline-powered UTVs will be keenly aware of just how much maintenance is required to keep their machines operating effectively. Combustion engines, especially in off-road vehicles that see harder everyday use, require regular maintenance. That includes everything from oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug servicing, among other things. Additionally, over time, many combustion engines in UTVs will experience issues with their carburetors and exhaust systems, requiring further attention and repair.
In contrast, electric UTVs have significantly fewer system components and moving parts, which means less maintenance is required. Compared to the hundreds of parts in a combustion engine, an electric motor usually has just a single set of moving parts – bearings.
Electric motors do not need oil changes or air filter replacements, and there are no spark plugs to foul or carburetors to tune. There are essentially two primary components in an EV powertrain – the electric motor and battery. Both require minimal upkeep with nearly zero maintenance to perform on those key components. This reduction in maintenance costs and time can result in significant savings for both individual owners and commercial fleet operators.
Of course this doesn’t mean that electric UTVs are completely maintenance-free. They still include transmissions (although much simpler), brakes, tires, and other vehicle components that will need occasional attention. But the major headaches for most gasoline-powered UTV owners – the engine and drivetrain parts – are replaced by nearly zero-maintenance electric alternatives.
A quiet revolution – low noise levels
Another noteworthy advantage of electric UTVs is their low noise level. Gasoline-powered UTVs are generally quite loud, which can be a nuisance in residential areas or when trying to enjoy the serenity of the great outdoors. For hunters, birdwatchers, scientists, or anyone else who interacts with wildlife in their native habitats, the loud noise of a combustion engine can make it difficult to use a UTV to reach remote areas for the purpose of wildlife interaction.
In contrast, electric UTVs produce minimal noise, making them an ideal choice for use in noise-sensitive environments. Whether that’s avoiding spooking the livestock on a farm or enjoying wildlife watching on nature trails, low noise helps keep operators immersed in the surrounding environment rather than removing them from it.
This reduction in noise pollution can also benefit wildlife just as much as the operators, as the disturbance from loud engines can stress animals and disrupt their natural habitats. Electric UTVs allow operators to enjoy outdoor recreation while minimizing their own impact on the environment.
High performance meets eco-friendly design
While the less educated among us may question the performance capabilities of electric UTVs compared to their gas-powered counterparts, the truth is that electric UTVs can deliver much more impressive performance. Electric motors offer instant torque, providing rapid acceleration and enhanced responsiveness. This means that electric UTVs can easily tackle challenging terrain and offer thrilling off-road experiences.
In fact, when Polaris revealed the specs on its 110 horsepower RANGER XP Kinetic eUTV, they announced that it wasn’t just the most powerful electric UTV they’d ever made, but also the most powerful RANGER they’d ever made, gas or electric.
The high control of an electric motor allows operators much more fine tune handling, which makes tasks such as towing much more convenient. Operators can creep up to a trailer more easily, make more precise movements on tricky terrain, and more accurately maneuver in tight spaces.
Ranges vary among different models, but companies like Volcon are already promising over 100 miles (160 km) of range from their eUTVs, which is likely more than most operators will need on their own farms or hunting trails.
Additionally, electric UTVs produce zero emissions, making them an environmentally responsible choice. As the world continues to face the consequences of climate change, the adoption of electric vehicles, including UTVs, is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.
The future of electric UTVs
As electric UTV technology continues to improve and battery costs decrease, we can expect to see a more significant shift towards electric UTV adoption. Prices currently remain high for fancier, higher performance models like those from Polaris, though lower cost eUTVs are also entering the market. New startups are also getting into the eUTV action with the launch of impressive-looking new models; even Asian companies are joining the fray with lower cost offerings that could soon be imported to the US and Europe.
This increase in development of electric off-road vehicles will result in a growing number of manufacturers developing electric models and expanding their offerings, leading to greater competition and innovation within the industry.
Make no mistake: The electric UTV revolution is here, and it is set to change the industry with its low maintenance, reduced noise levels, and higher performance. Embracing this change will not only benefit individual users and commercial operators but also contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet. You may not be interested in all of the benefits, but any one of them is enough to prove the advantage of electric UTVs.
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On today’s incredibly frustrating episode of Quick Charge, Tesla is making it easier than ever to make fun of them by rolling out a new, “affordable” Model Y that costs $2,000 more than the “expensive” one did last week, thanks to the cancellation of the $7,500 tax credit that Elon Musk (the guy who is so good at business that he’s allegedly worth $1 trillion) spent $200 million campaigning for.
We’ve also got the new, single-motor Volvo EX30 at a price that undercuts the cheap Tesla, but includes a full length glass roof that isn’t inexplicably covered in upholstery to punish poor people. All this and more – enjoy!
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Chevy’s electric SUV is now the best-selling EV in the US outside of Tesla. The 2026 Chevy Equinox EV is slightly more expensive than the outgoing model, but GM has added new style packages for you to choose from.
GM raises 2026 Chevy Equinox EV price, adds options
The Chevy Equinox EV doesn’t need much help. Starting at just $34,995, the 2025 Chevy Equinox quickly became one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US.
Entering its third year, the Equinox EV remains GM’s most affordable EV, with starting prices slightly higher at $36,495. That includes the $1,395 destination fee.
Since it’s a carryover model, there aren’t too many changes, but buyers will have several new style packages to choose from.
The 2026 Chevy Equinox LT gains a new Midnight Package, which adds black emblems, bowtie, badging, wheel caps, and 19″ black painted aluminum wheels, for $595.
There’s also a new Tech Bronze Package available on the LT and RS trims. The new option includes a Tech Bronze decal, a black nameplate, a black bowtie emblem, and 21″ Tech Bronze wheels. It costs an extra $3,595.
The 2026 Chevy Equinox EV is now listed on GM’s website. It’s still available in LT1, LT2, and RS trims with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) powertrain options.
The base 2026 LT FWD trim starts at $36,495 with up to 319 miles of range, including a $1,395 destination fee. Upgrading to AWD costs an extra $5,300, with a slightly shorter range of 307 miles.
| Chevy Equinox EV trim | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price | EPA-estimated Range |
| LT 1 FWD | $34,995 | $36,495 | 319 miles |
| LT 1 AWD | $38,295 | $39,795 | 307 miles |
| LT 2 FWD | $43,295 | $43,295 | 319 miles |
| LT 2 AWD | $46,595 | $46,595 | 307 miles |
| RS FWD | $44,795 | $45,595 | 319 miles |
| RS AWD | $48,095 | $48,895 | 307 miles |
Following another record quarter of EV sales in Q3, GM said that the Chevy Equinox EV was the best-selling non-Tesla electric vehicle in the US.
With several new affordable EVs arriving, including the new Nissan LEAF, will the Equinox continue to be a top seller in 2026? It will be interesting to see where the rankings end up at this time next year.
Wondering if Chevy’s electric SUV lives up to the hype? You can use our link to find 2025 and 2026 Chevy Equinox EV models near you and try it out for yourself.
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A surge in EV charging cable thefts is putting the reliability of the UK’s charging network at risk and undermining trust among drivers. InstaVolt is the UK’s largest network of fast chargers, and over the past two years, nearly 1,000 of its charging stations (it has over 2,100, so nearly 50%) have been targeted by cable thieves. But now InstaVolt is fighting back with GPS tracking.
Bafflingly, the incentive for thieves is low-value scrap: There’s only about £25 ($33) worth of copper inside a charging cable. But the damage is costly – around £1,000 ($1,342) per site for repairs.
In April, InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane told the BBC that the thefts had cost his company about £410,000 ($550,150) since November 2023. Lane said, “This isn’t just an InstaVolt problem; this is an industry problem. The biggest impact is on drivers.”
InstaVolt has reinforced its cables with Kevlar sheaths, making them harder to cut. It has also rolled out live GPS tracking across its network on its charging cables in partnership with GPS supplier Trackit247. The technology provides location updates every three seconds, allowing the company to detect, trace, and recover stolen cables in real time.
Each charging cable is geo-fenced to its charger, so an alert is immediately triggered if it moves outside the designated area. InstaVolt’s 24/7 security center receives instant notifications by text, email, and phone, and it can coordinate directly with the police.
The system’s biggest advantage is live tracking in transit. If a thief drives off with a charging cable, police can follow its exact route and move in fast, increasing the chance of recovery and arrest. Instavolt’s GPS technology marks a major step forward in protecting critical EV infrastructure, deterring theft, and enabling quick response when it happens.
Read more: Meet the UK’s largest solar + storage EV charging ‘Superhub’
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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