Friday February the 2nd, 2024 bore witness to what could quite possibly be the quietest world’s first in history - the world’s first all-electric UTV epic off-road adventure. What appeared to be a train of 3 normal looking 2024 Polaris Ranger 1000XP’s touring Ontonagon County in Michigan’s rural Upper Peninsula were in-fact a fleet of all-electric Polaris Ranger Kinetic vehicles. Sporting 29” tires, fully enclosed cabins with heat, navigation, Bluetooth stereos, wipers and windshield sprayers, the vehicles provided the premium UTV experience Polaris is known for. However, these machines feature a 110 HP all-electric motor with nearly 30 kilowatts of battery storage.
The tour lasted 8 hours and eclipsed 71 total miles. Originally booking two 2-passenger snowmobiles, our clients planned their vacation experience with a multitude of snow activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Hailing from Ohio and Indiana, our clients were looking for an experience to replace their snowmobile tour with us due to the worst winter on record we are enduring. Excitedly they jumped at the chance to be the first group to take a ride with us!
Our ride departed from our Ontonagon, MI (White Pine) rental shop taking us down the famed pioneer UTV trail to the lake town of Bergland, MI. Situated in Bergland was the first charging opportunity, as well as a lunch stop! We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Antonio's Bergland, MI (located directly next to the charger) while we watched folks driving past the charger taking pictures of the rigs charging. Local intrigue was in full effect! We then seized the gorgeous 38-degree blue-bird day with a short walk down to the public boat landing checking out Lake Gogebic. Luckily a ferocious (ferociously seeking pets!) pack of Corgi’s was being run around on the frozen lake with us. After some duly needed belly and butt scratches our crew doled out to the pupperinos, we departed for Victoria Dam, specifically the North Country Hiking trail that crosses just above it. Our ride there took us back up the Pioneer trail towards the Old Victoria settlement site, where we parked on Victoria Dam Road near the hiking trail. Our clients had their hiking poles, ice cleats, water, and up the trail to the lookout we went. A brief 1/3-mile hike to the lookout provided incredible views of the Ontonagon River valley and the Victoria Dam Reservoir. From there we headed back to our shop to end the day.
While snowmobiling is on pause, we are currently renting our Electric UTVs. All rentals include a free guide who goes with. $299 per machine. Call us for more information or book now on www.HamiltonsNorthCoast.com
Helmets are included at no additional cost. No cost for charging machines. Damage Waiver included.
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