Polaris Adventures Outfitter is first in the
nation to offer rentals with the all-electric RANGER XP
Kinetic
MINNEAPOLIS, June 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) and the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) celebrated the launch and
grand opening of an electric off-road vehicle charging network in
Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Just
under a year after Polaris received a Mobility Public-Private
Partnership & Programming (MP4) grant through Michigan Office
of Future Mobility & Electrification's (OFME) program to
develop and maintain an off-road trail charging network in
Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the
off-road charging network is officially open. This
first-of-its-kind off-road electric charging network supports
around 100 miles of scenic off-road trails in the Upper
Peninsula.
Polaris and the MEDC launched an electric
off-road charging network in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
"It is an honor to mark the opening of this unique off-road
electric charging network developed in partnership with the
State of Michigan and the local
communities along this trail system. Polaris and Michigan are connected in our efforts to bring
exciting innovation and the latest technology to outdoor
recreation," said Andrew Chasse,
vice president of Strategy and Partnerships, Polaris. "I'd like to
thank the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in particular
for allowing Polaris the opportunity to play a role in such an
important initiative for the state and this standout milestone for
the powersports industry."
"Michigan is known as a Make-It
State, leveraging our incredible talent pool that brings together
innovation, grit, determination, and visionary products of the
future," said Justine Johnson,
State of Michigan Chief Mobility
Officer. "Working in tandem with Polaris to launch an electric
off-road vehicle charging network in the Upper Peninsula,
exemplifies how working through public private partnerships bring
ideation to fruition in every corner of Michigan. We applaud
Polaris's effort to support the growth of a reliable EV charging
infrastructure in one of Michigan's favorite ORV riding
destinations."
Michigan's MP4 grant supports
the modernization of the state's mobility offerings and its massive
outdoor recreation industry as it transitions to more electric and
technology-enabled vehicles. In June
2023, Polaris announced it had been selected to receive a
$700,000 grant to develop and
maintain an off-road trail charging network in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Free to use, the
EV charging stations enable the use of various electric off-road
vehicles or other trails-approved electric options on the public
trail system. There are four installed electric vehicle charging
stations on state-designated ORV trails in the woods of
Ontonagon County. The four
chargers are deployed in Ontonagon, White
Pine, Bergland and
Greenland.
Polaris partnered with Texas-based Yotta Energy, a leader in
renewable energy storage, to provide the charging hardware. Yotta's
REV charging station is an integrated, scalable EV charging
solution that includes solar production capacity and 120kWh of
onboard energy storage. The solution can be grid-connected or
operate completely off-grid making them suitable for use in remote
areas and urban locations alike.
Launch of Nation's First All-Electric RANGER XP Kinetic
Rental Experience
With the development of this off-road EV charging network,
Polaris also announced that local Polaris Adventures Outfitter,
Hamilton's North Coast Adventures
near Ontonagon, Mich., is the
first in the country to offer a rental fleet of Polaris'
all-electric off-road vehicle, the RANGER XP Kinetic. Rentals of
the RANGER XP Kinetic started recently, giving Polaris Adventures
customers the opportunity to explore the beauty of Michigan's western Upper Peninsula's most
famous trail – The Pioneer ORV Trail – in one of the newest
electric off-road vehicles and use the new off-road charging
network.
"Polaris Adventures was started with the goal of helping more
people experience powersports and discover new ways to enjoy the
outdoors, and this launch of our first electric off-road vehicle
rental experience in the country will continue to do just that,"
said Gray Rentz, vice president of
Polaris Experience, Polaris.
Polaris' Efforts to Bring Electric Technology to
Powersports
From acceleration and control to quieter operations and zero
emissions, there are benefits to electric powertrain technology
within the powersports industry. Since the launch of its
all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic utility side-by-side in 2023,
Polaris has been leveraging electric technology to deliver leading
performance capabilities and an unparalleled experience for
off-road riders.
"Our approach to electrification remains centered around
understanding where we can best incorporate EV technology to
enhance the riding experience and provide an incredible offering to
customers. For utility customers, we've shown how electric
technology can help us build one of the best utility off-road
side-by-sides on the market, while data and insights from this
effort in Michigan can help us
refine our view on opportunities within the recreation off-road
space," Chasse continued.
Looking more broadly, Polaris is focused on testing electric
prototypes across its product platforms and will commercialize
purposefully where electrification improves the customer
experience.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII)
pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and
services that have invited people to discover the joy of being
outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product
line-up includes the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, and GENERAL
side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road
vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles;
Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot
moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and
pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington
pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust
portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in
Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly
100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation
(MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's
marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job
awareness and community development with the focus on growing
Michigan's economy. For more
information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit
www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information,
your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on:
Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.
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SOURCE Polaris Inc.