Barefoot Motors Electric ATV Model One

Oregon-based Barefoot Motors has recently launched an electrically powered All Terrain Vehicle. Currently the company’s Model One electric ATV is being ‘beta’ tested in Oregon by select farmers – and Jamie Hyneman from Mythbusters, who is a partner in the company.

Illustration: Barefoot Motors electric ATV

The 850 pound Model One electric ATV boasts a lithium-ion battery pack that power an AC motor on the front axle and a DC motor on the rear one, with total power output of 55 hp, 105 foot-pounds of torque and has a 51 inch wheel base. The highest speed that the Model One may reach is 35 mph. It can run up to  4-5 hours, at an average of 12 mph before needing a recharge, said Barefoot Motors. Wired.com called it the Tesla of ATVs.

Picture: Model One electric ATV

Electric ATV vehicles are much more environment-friendly than a normal gasoline powered ATV can be. There are millions of ATVs in the United States and Canada, and they spew out much more pollutants than the average car. The reason is that being farm vehicles, they are under under the same restrictions as road-going cars are. Replace a fraction of the gasoline ATVs with electric ones, and you can make a significant difference – and Barefoot Motors’ Model One aims to do precisely that.

The lithium ion battery pack of the Barefoot Motors Model One electric ATV sure drives up the price a bit – but the advantages are worth the extra cost, it seems. Barefoot Motors says that operational costs of the Model One would be approximately $6,000 less than that of a gasoline ATV over the life of the vehicle.

Battery longevity is higher, and Lithium-ion batteries can be charged and discharged 2000-3000 times before they have to be replaced. So if you recharge it overnight, eveery single day, every day of the year, you get close to 8 years battery life. Not bad at all. Secondly, Lithium-ion batteries can tolerate frequent discharges and can be left fully charged or fully discharged unlike typical normal batteries. The Barefoot Motors Model One’s 72V battery takes 6-8 hours to recharge – leave it connected to the charging point at night, and you have a fully charged electric ATV ready to do duty in the morning.

Barefoot Motors CEO Melissa Brandao told the media that ,”The idea started in Sonoma County, where we saw a lot of ATVs working in the vineyards but no electric ones out there. Therefore, we are focusing on vineyards, orchards, growers and wineries – specialty agriculture in California and Oregon.” She further said that all of the company’s operations would be relocated from Sebastopol to Oregon in August last year.

The 4wd 55hp electric ATV has a magnificent cargo capacity of 230 kgs and is capable of towing a weight of 500 kg.

The price of the vehicle is $15,000 but with the spectacular attributes it has, it sure is value for money given that the maintenance costs aren’t high at all. The Oregon-based company plans to begin production on the Model One in February ’09 with the official product launch taking place at the World Ag Expo in California.

The good news is that the anticipation for the vehicle is surely not on the lower side which was confirmed when one of the winemakers was all game for the electric demonstration. Joe Benziger, winemaker at Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif., sais “We are definitely considering one for use in our vineyards. All the vehicles at our sister winery – Benziger Family Winery – are electric or bio-diesel. What’s more is that this fits right into our mission of lowering our carbon footprints,” he added.

Barefoot Motors is currently taking a 10% deposit for you to reserve your own Model One electric ATV.

Barefoot Motors Model One electric ATV: Specifications

· Dimensions: L 83 ins x W 48 ins x H 48 ins
· Weight: 850 lbs
· Wheel base: 51 ins
· Maximum Load Weight: 500 lbs
· Maximum Tow Weight: 1100 lbs
· Voltage: 72 volt system
· Motor: AC Induction – 6 kw, 46 hp, 7500 rpm
· Torque: 105 ft lbs
· Battery Cycles: Rated at 2,000-3,000 cycles
· Charger: 110V-220 v on-board
· Top Speed: 35 mph
· Range: Estimated to be 20 miles or 4-hour seat time,
subject to application(s)
· Gear: Hi/Lo
· Warranty: 6-month bumper-to-bumper; 12-month on battery pack
· Color: To be determined
· Price: $15,000 – 10% deposit to place reservation