You can't fight the tides of change. The last great UTV experience I had was ripping a 6-speed Yamaha YXZ1000R around a track, banging through the gears and feeling the thud as each one engaged through the seat. Well, Yamaha just discontinued the YXZ1000R, which stood out from the pack with its manual gearbox, and it looks like the market is skewing ever closer to, not just CVTs, but electric powertrains.
Massimo Group recently announced the upcoming launch of its all-new electric UTV, which is set to debut in 2026. And while we're seeing companies like Polaris invest in developing the sportiest electric UTV, in the form of an all-electric RZR, Massimo Group's product seems to be entirely focused on the utility sector.
Powering the new model will be a 72V 200AH lithium battery paired with a 15KW permanent magnet synchronous motor. This combination will supposedly give it a range of up to 70 km (43 miles) and a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). These numbers aren't going to get any adrenaline junkies pulling out their wallets, but it might make someone who's thinking of buying a Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic Premium think twice, because both units are relatively evenly matched in terms of range.
There's not a lot more information available about Massimo Group's latest product, but we know it'll have 4WD capability and a 7-inch (optional 10-inch) touchscreen display.
"The market for electric UTVs is expanding rapidly, not only among environmentally conscious consumers but also within the farm and ranch communities where quiet operation and reduced emissions are increasingly important," said David Shan, Chief Executive Officer of Massimo Group. "By entering this segment, Massimo is aligning with long-term consumer trends while creating significant growth opportunities for our Company and shareholders."
This unit should require less maintenance, be less noisy, and easier to use than the majority of ICE UTVs. Whether all-electric UTVs are the future or not is still uncertain, but there are certainly farmers and ranchers out there who this product should suit.
