Traditional Automakers and Startups Accelerate Electric Off-Roading

Automakers are racing to produce electric vehicles (EVs) with off-road capabilities, equipped with the power and range needed to meet consumer expectations.

EVs have come a long way in recent years, as car manufacturers produce faster, longer-range vehicles with better battery life. However, developing competitive electric off-road vehicles has been more complicated. Now, several well-known automakers, as well as some ambitious start-ups, have announced plans to launch innovative electric off-road models in the coming years.

In November, Mercedes-AMG announced its first wholly in-house developed electric SUV. The high-performance off-road vehicle, which uses AMG’s proprietary AMG.EA electric platform, will undergo testing near the end of the year. Michael Schiebe, the Chairman of Mercedes-AMG, stated, “With the ‘Born in Affalterbach’ SUV, we are responding to this trend by offering our customers a truly captivating high-performance off-roader based on the AMG.EA platform. Our new high-performance architecture follows a clear philosophy: ‘AMG First, EV Second.’”

The Korean auto giant Kia is also looking to launch a new off-road EV, demonstrating its EV9 “ADVNTR” Concept SUV and PV5 “WKNDR” Concept EV Van at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. Kia showcased the PV5 WKNDR’s energy generation system with “hydro turbine” wheels that operate independently from the off-road tyres to generate electricity from air or water. The van is also fitted with a solar roof.

Kia has methodically considered how to use the compact space in its off-roaders, with bench seats tucked in the van’s walls, a pop-out platform to put a refrigerator, an extension for a small kitchen, a pop-out rear window, and a roof-mounted camper for sleeping.

In addition to some of the world’s biggest automakers, several lesser-known companies are investing heavily in EV development. Scout, a former American vehicle brand from 1961 to 1980, is now being backed by Volkswagen to develop a new range of EVs. Scout once dominated the all-terrain vehicle space in the U.S., before its four-decade hiatus. VW acquired Scout following the company’s $3.7 billion 2021 acquisition of Navistar, which was a successor of Scout’s original owner International Harvester. The company is back with a vengeance with plans to launch its Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra Pickup. Scout aims to combine classic design with modern electric performance, with both models expected to launch in 2027.

The vehicles are expected to be able to go through water of up to 35 inches deep and both models are expected to be capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, despite their robust size. They are also designed to have at least 350 miles of range on a single charge, as well as be equipped with a gasoline generator capable of extending the range to 500 miles. The Traveler will be able to tow trailers of up to 7,000 lbs, while the Terra Pickup will be able to pull 10,000 lbs trailers, according to Scout. Both the Traveler and Terra are expected to start between $50,000 and $60,000 with available incentives. Scout expects its Traveler SUV to contribute around two-thirds of the firm’s initial sales.

Startups are becoming increasingly competitive in the U.S. EV market. California-based Alpha Motor Corporation, unveiled its first EV, the ACE Coupe shortly after its founding in 2020, with three versions of the vehicle available to suit different consumer needs. This year, Alpha is showcasing its off-road SUPERREX. The 4-door vehicle is built on Alpha’s advanced Modular Vehicle Platform, which is also used in its WOLF Truck Series.

Alpha expects the SUPERREX to set new standards for electric SUVs, with extensive all-terrain capabilities and a large range of customisation available. Edward Lee, the founder and CEO of Alpha, said that the SUPERREX was designed with consumer feedback in mind. Lee explained, “This new version of the REX provides the additional space and versatility consumers want while maintaining the adventure-seeking spirit of Alpha vehicles.”

Then, of course, there’s Tesla’s Cybertruck, the famous EV company’s stainless-steel electric pickup. The truck can tow up to 11,000 pounds, boasts 834 horsepower from a trio of electric motors, and can reach 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, according to Tesla. The company claims it can travel up to 325 miles on a single charge, as well as recover up to 136 miles of range with just 15 minutes of Supercharging. It also has 67 cubic feet of lockable storage. However, it comes with a hefty price tag of $82,235 to $102,235.

Several EV makers are venturing into the world of electric off-road vehicles in a bid to appeal to a broader market. While many automakers are focusing on extending the range, power, and battery life of their conventional EVs, others are looking to build large SUVs with equally impressive specs as well as off-road capabilities. While some companies, such as Tesla, have already launched their first SUV models, most are still in the design stage, meaning they could take several years to hit the market.