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The EV Report recently connected with Andrew Chasse, the Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships at Polaris, a recognized leader in the powersports industry. Andrew spearheads the corporate strategy function at Polaris, overseeing strategic planning, advanced technology business development, and holding board positions with two Polaris-funded start-ups. He is at the forefront of Polaris’ electrification initiative, guiding the transition of their powersports portfolio into a new era of electrified vehicles.
With a rich background in marketing, merchandising, and strategy from his tenure at Target, and strategic consultancy experience at Accenture, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative thinking to Polaris. An engineering graduate from Duke University with an MBA from the Tuck School of Business, his academic prowess complements his professional achievements.
In this interview, Andrew delves into Polaris’ approach to electrification, highlighting key innovations such as the RANGER XP Kinetic, their all-electric utility side-by-side vehicle. He discusses the benefits of electric technology in the powersports sector, addressing customer needs, charging infrastructure, and future plans for electrification. Andrew’s insights offer a glimpse into how Polaris is redefining the outdoor adventure experience with cutting-edge electric technology.
What is Polaris?
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry. We design, engineer, manufacture, and market products to help people explore the sand, snow, dirt, water, and road, from the industry’s leading off-road vehicles and snowmobiles, to motorcycles, autocycles and pontoons.
Through Polaris Adventures, our rental business with around 275 locations across the country, we also are helping more people discover powersports and find new ways to enjoy the outdoors.
How is Polaris approaching electrification?
At Polaris, the approach we are taking with electrification is consistent with our overall business approach to use innovation and technology to deliver a better experience for our customers. While we are focused on testing electric prototypes across our product platforms, we will be intentional and purposeful when it comes to commercialization, focusing on where electrification improves the customer experience.
What is the RANGER XP Kinetic?
Our RANGER brand is and has been the No. 1 selling utility side-by-side off-road vehicle brand in the market.
Through electric technology, Polaris set out to build a utility off-road vehicle that surpasses customer expectations with enhanced power, performance, quiet operation, and reduced maintenance. The RANGER XP Kinetic is our all-electric utility side-by-side. The Kinetic is aimed at customers who are using the vehicle primarily to get work done.
What benefit does electric provide for this customer?
The RANGER XP Kinetic is an incredible example of the benefits that electric technology can provide when it comes to utility off-road vehicles. When we think about our utility customers, they are farmers, ranchers, hunters, and property owners who demand a workhorse that matches their endless to-do lists and can help them boost their productivity.
With its electric powertrain, the Kinetic can deliver a class-leading 110 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of instant torque for maximum power, including the ability to effortlessly tow up to 2,500lbs and haul an industry-best 1,250lbs. Its electric powertrain also provides precise control when operating at low speeds, so customers have full control while towing or backing up to a trailer, while the instantaneous torque delivers quicker acceleration. The electric powertrain also means there is fewer moving parts which means less scheduled maintenance for our customers.
Simply put, with its all-electric powertrain, the RANGER XP Kinetic demonstrates a new era of utility off-road capabilities.
Marine is one industry that electric is seeing traction, how are you looking at that market?
We will continue to test new and emerging technologies, but our approach to electrification is consistent across our products and we will be intentional and purposeful when it comes to what we bring to market.
One example is the Mighty G, an innovative first from Godfrey Pontoon, that we launched in 2022. It was designed from the ground up to seamlessly integrate with either an electric or gas-powered propulsion option. We are tapping into an unmet need as customers who ended up selecting an electric vs. gas-powered motor option were more than double our expectations in its first year on the market.
Charging is top of mind for everyone when it comes to an electric offering, how is Polaris looking at charging from a customer perspective?
One of the reasons why electrification makes so much sense for our utility customers is that these are typically riders with access to power. They are charging their vehicle overnight in a farm, shed or garage – typical places with convenient access to power. The RANGER XP Kinetic comes standard with a combined Level 1 / Level 2 EV charge cord that allows you to charge from a 120V or 240V outlet.
There are some unique charging challenges when it comes to the recreation side of powersports, especially for those riders who are looking to take their off-road vehicle on an all-day trail ride or travel longer distances.
There is a unique program we worked on, in partnership with the state of Michigan, to build an EV charging network on a public off-road trail system in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We have four charging stations that are supporting around 100 miles of off-road trails in that area. The charging stations are currently operational, and the program is really getting started this summer.
As a part of that, I hear you are also offering a rental experience with your RANGER XP Kinetic, can you elaborate on the program and the importance of bringing an electric vehicle offering to the Polaris Adventures program?
We are excited to bring the first electric rental experience to market. Leveraging those four EV charging stations, this offering will allow riders to explore the outdoors on the newest electric off-road utility vehicle. Our Polaris Adventures Outfitter who is just outside of Ontonagon, Mich., is now offering a rental fleet of our RANGER XP Kinetic vehicles to take customers on guided tours through the area.
In addition to being an incredible way to experience the outdoors, the program is also helping us learn and continue to refine the opportunities for electrification within the recreation side of our business.
What’s next in terms of electrification at Polaris?
While we keep future product plans under wraps, innovation remains deeply ingrained in us. We relentlessly explore new concepts and remain committed to introducing vehicles that surpass customer expectations.
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