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Powersports Business • July 2024 • 25

Polaris Inc . and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation ( MEDC ) recently 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 .

Polaris says this is a “ first-of-its-kind ” offroad electric charging network that supports around 100 miles of scenic off-road trails in the Upper Peninsula .

“ Polaris and Michigan are connected in our efforts to bring exciting innovation and the latest technology to outdoor recreation ,” says Andrew Chasse , vice president of strategy and partnerships at 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 ,” says Justine Johnson , chief mobility officer for the State of Michigan . “ 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 .

The EV charging stations are free to use and enable the use of various electric off-road vehicles or other trail-approved electric options on the public trail system . Four chargers are deployed in Ontonagon , White Pine , Bergland , and Greenland on state-designated ORV trails in the woods of Ontonagon County .

Polaris partnered with Texas-based Yotta Energy , a leader in renewable energy storage , to provide the charging hardware . Yotta ’ s

An all-electric Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic off-road vehicle charging at one of the four new off-road charging stations in Michigan ’ s Upper Peninsula . Photo by Daniel Boczarski / Getty Images for Polaris

REV charging station is an integrated , scalable EV charging solution with solar production capacity and 120kWh of onboard energy storage . The solution can be grid-connected or completely off-grid , making it suitable for use in remote areas and urban locations .

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 , Michigan , is the first in the country to offer a rental fleet of Polaris ’ Ranger XP Kinetic all-electric off-road vehicles . Rentals of the RANGER XP Kinetic started recently , allowing Polaris Adventures customers to explore Michigan ’ s western Upper Peninsula ’ s most famous trail – The Pioneer ORV Trail .

“ 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 ,” says Chasse . “ 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 .”