By Dan HansenContributing Writer

aquiet, nonpollutingelectric-powered utili-ty trail vehicle (UTV)

would seem to be a natural fitfor hunters, anglers, farmers,and others who spend time

working and recreating in theoutdoors.

“An electric UTV allows us tobecome a part of nature insteadof just being out in nature,”said Gary Gustafson, who’sbeen involved in ATV/UTVand powersports industries for

more than 20 years.For more than a decade,

Gustafson designed bumper-to-bumper electrical systemsfor Polaris and Arctic Cat. In2005, he founded G-ForceConsulting based in ClearLake, Minn. Several majorOEM brands and numeroussuppliers have since engagedhis company to identify marketopportunities, design and testinnovative products, acquireUTV-related businesses, evalu-ate private label opportunities,and develop marketing materi-als and service procedures.

Wisconsin Outdoor News metup with Gustafson, who’s alsonow working with StealthElectric Vehicles, at this sum-mer’s Wisconsin DeerFest inOshkosh to review the state ofelectric UTVs and to get aglimpse into future trends forthis segment of the industry.

Most of the current electricUTVs are best suited for use byprivate landowners.

“They’re really warming upto battery electric versionsbecause they don’t have to drive 40 miles,” he said. “Theycan drive 1 to 2 miles per dayto their deer stands during afull week of hunting withouthaving to recharge the vehi-cle.”

He notes that sportsmen and

others who have largeracreages, or who want to usethem on public lands or trails,are gravitating toward hybridversions. “These still have anelectric drivetrain but also havea gasoline engine to charge thebatteries and to power the

vehicle for extended drivingdistances and sometimes pro-vide even more top speed.”

One hybrid version has anintegrated generator.

“There’s also a new one fea-turing a dual drive train wherethe front wheels are driven bya gas engine and the backwheels are driven by electric

motors,” Gustafson said.“Those two types of hybridsare filling needs in differentsegments of the market.”

Currently, there are a handfulof electric UTV brands: BadBoy Buggies, HuntVe, Polaris,Stealth, Titan, and X-TremeScooters.

Weight-loss programPerformance currently ham-

pered is by a lack of range andby excess weight, both ofwhich result from lead acidbatteries.

“They are the only energystorage medium that’s afford-able today,” Gustafson said.“Some of these vehicles have700 pounds of battery weight,and that needs to be reduced,probably by 75 percent.”

Weight reduction also can beachieved by using a variety oflighter materials in UTV con-struction.

“New generations of electricUTVs will use more aluminum,magnesium, and carbon-fiberhoods and chassis,” Gustafsonsaid. “Those have not beenwidely adopted yet because ofthe cost of the materials, andbecause there’s a tremendoustooling expense in manufactur-ing magnesium and carbon-fiber parts.”

The cost of these lightweightmaterials, and the additionaltooling costs haven’t made iteconomically feasible for small-er manufacturers to beginusing them yet.

“I believe that technologyequation will change gradually,and we’ll see more use of theselighter materials in the nextthree to five years,” he said.

Better batteriesA major improvement in

electric UTVs will come fromadvances in battery technology,Gustafson said.

“Over the next two to threeyears we’re going to see somepure electric versions withlithium batteries in place of thecurrent lead acid batteries,such as we’re seeing now in

(See Electric UTVs Page 45)

titan sniper

polaris ranger ev

stealth nighthawk

Tess Gugel harvested her firstbow buck this fall. Gugel firstsaw the buck on a trail cam-era, and it was the buck shehoped to arrow. The buckcame to her location at duskon the third day of the season.

PAGE 44 WISCONSIN OUTDOOR NEWS OCTOBER 19, 2012

Wildlife coming to a tree or shrub near you Sooner!

269.979.4252 www.morsenursery.com

electric cars,” he said.A key to using lithium bat-

teries in UTVs is being able toreduce the cost of producingthe batteries. “Manufacturingthese batteries is highly techni-cal and very machinery-inten-sive,” Gustafson said. “As themanufacturing processimproves and becomes moresimplified, costs will comedown, and so will the weight.A lead acid battery configura-tion that weighs 700 poundsmay only weigh 100 pounds ina lithium system.”

However, one advantage ofthe current heavier batteries isthat they make the UTVs morestable and less likely to tipover.

“Buyers of electric andhybrid UTVs also should besure the vehicle has an intelli-gent charger that goes intotrickle mode once the batteriesare charged, and they shouldcharge batteries frequently tolengthen their life,” he said.

Points to ponder Gustafson advises prospec-

tive buyers of electric UTVs toclearly define how they wantto use the vehicle, and deter-mine what features are neces-sary to satisfy those needs.

“The traction system is animportant consideration,” hesaid. “Many people think thatfour-wheel drives are all thesame, but there’s a huge differ-ence between an open disc anda locker, and even among lock-ers there are significant differ-ences.”

Buyers also need to under-stand the difference betweenpeak and continuous horse-power and torque in motors.

“Advertised peak horsepow-er and torque can be anywherefrom 50 percent to 100 percenthigher than what the continu-ous torque and power mightbe,” Gustafson said.

The quality of battery con-struction also is an importantconsideration when selectingan electric UTV.

“I would recommend buyinga vehicle that features majorbrand batteries,” Gustafsonsaid. “With lower-cost batter-ies, you usually get what youpay for, so I would advise get-ting a good, solid, reputablebattery in any vehicle you pur-chase.”

Gustafson reminds prospec-tive buyers to have realisticexpectations when consideringan electric UTV.

“If you want a high-perfor-mance off-road vehicle that’sreally fast, you don’t want anelectric,” he said. “In the nexttwo to three years, I thinkyou’re going to see high-per-formance electric vehicles, butthey’re not here yet.

“Today, the primary buyer ofelectric and hybrid electricvehicles is someone who takeshis hunting and land manage-ment very seriously, some-body, perhaps, who has familyhe likes to bring on his hunts.However, the hybrid versionsof these vehicles will expandthis segment to include moretrail riders, land managers,and others who need to doadditional work or cover anexpanded territory.”

ElectricUTVs(From Page 44)

OCTOBER 19, 2012 WISCONSIN OUTDOOR NEWS PAGE 45

6th Prize 7th Prize 8th Prize

3rd Prize 4th Prize 5th Prize Weekly Winners

ProStaff3 Laser Rangefinder

VanguardEndeavor

ED

CR1100Boss

XLTreestand

RutMasterRubberHunting

Boot

GC2000The Lock & Load

Game Cart

Wildlife Research Centerproducts including

Scent Killer® Liquid Soap,Trail’s End #307,

Super Charged Scent Killer®

Liquid Clothing Wash,Special Golden Estrus,

Magnum Scrape Dripper Combo,Super Charged Scent Killer®

Grand Prize

2012

Ambush IRDigital

Camera

19TH ANNUAL BEST BUCK CONTESTThe 19th annual Wisconsin Outdoor News Best Buck

Contest offers great prizes and awards to 15 winners! This is a photo contest. Wisconsin Outdoor News

would rather support the notion of sportsmen and womenenjoying the experience and creating memories than justconcentrating on antler size. The rating system will be onphoto quality, including composition and clarity. Check therules and tips below.

A panel of judges representing various interests will beselected in the weeks ahead to assist in the final selectionof the winners. The contest is for either archery or firearms.Make sure that everyone in your hunting party carries acamera this deer hunting season. Every buck has a chanceto win!

GOOD HUNTING! HAVE A SAFE HUNT!

THE SPORTSMAN’S CHOICE FOR NEWS AND INFORMATION$1.25

WISCONSIN

Official Wisconsin Outdoor News “Best Buck” Contest Entry FormNAME ____________________________________________________________________________ PHONE ( ______ ) __________________

STREET _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY ____________________________________________________________ STATE ____________________ ZIP ____________________

CONTEST INFORMATION:

Where Harvested: State _________ County ____________________ Nearest Town _________________________ Date _________

Method: Archery ____________ Slug _____________ Rifle ___________ Black Powder ____________

Antler Points (1" or longer) Left __________ Right __________ (Looking at front of deer); Green Score _________if avail.

Inside Spread (A) _____________________ – See Illustration at right; Deer’s weight ________________.

MAIL TO: Wisconsin

Outdoor News Best Buck Contest

125 Kettle Moraine Dr. S.Slinger, WI 53086-9702

A

RULES:• 4" x 6"or 3.5" x 5" color print photos only• Digital images must be submitted as prints.• Entries must include self-addressed, stamped envelope.• Entrants must be licensed deer hunters.

No high fence hunts, entrants will be disqualified. Fair chase only.• One deer and one person in photo. (Whitetail deer only.)• Entries accepted on official entry form or photocopy.• Entries may also be used in other Outdoor News promotions.• Name, address, and phone no. written on back of photo.• Person in photo the same as the one who bagged the deer.• Winners will be named in a January issue of Outdoor News.

PHOTO TIPS:• Entry must be received before Jan. 5, 2013.• Always use a flash to take out shadows.• Take photo in field before field dressing.• Take photo closeup. Save the negative• Have weapon in photo (in a safe manner).• Wear legal hunting clothes.• Do not sit on deer for photo.• Clean up visible blood and make sure deer’s tongue doesn’t show.• No sunglasses, beer cans or cigarettes. • No date imprint on photo.• Please - No emailed photos.

First Prize Second Prize

CVA OptimaSS/Black .50 Cal Muzzleloader

Winnerwill receive

Mathews’ NewFlagship Bow

for 2013!HELI’M SHOWN FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ONLY.

BlackWidow

TrailCamera

Huntworth GearGloves