Electric utility vehicles are beginning to make their mark in groundcare but many of those currently on the market lack manoeuvrability – an area that specialist supplier Boss ORV is tackling with the Norwegian-manufactured Paxster range.
Models feature a 48V battery with a range of up to 110km and a choice of 2460mm chassis (eCompact) or 2955mm chassis (eStretch) offering a flat load bay with removable sides and tailgate.
An open platform eCompact Air version has recently been launched, offering improved all-round visibility and the ease of access to use an implement such as a sprayer hand lance.
Designed to be simple to operate, the vehicles use handlebars rather than a steering wheel, with forward drive activated simply via a twist grip throttle and a choice of drive modes. Turning radius is from 3.3m, using a thumb switch on the handlebars to flick from forward to reverse for easy shuttling.
“It’s a very easy vehicle to drive and should make deliveries much quicker and more efficient,” comments Neil Everett, Boss ORV national sales manager.
Fitted with mud terrain tyres and a partially locking differential, the Paxster vehicles also have a degree of off-road capability.
“Even with larger UTV brands that we distribute, we find that there are very few occasions that you actually need four-wheel drive, so the Paxster vehicles should be able to get anywhere that you need,” points out Mr Everett.
Charging is via a cable carried onboard, using a standard 13amp supply. Boss ORV suggests a charge time from 0% to full of eight hours, but modern battery technology means that it is also possible to ‘top up’ the charge if the vehicle is idle for an hour or two.
Top speed is 60kph and the UK spec is road homologated; like a quad bike the eCompact Air doesn’t have a seatbelt and the operator should wear a helmet. The cabbed versions have a three-point seatbelt for the position-adjustable seat.
An integrated inverter is an option which allows a pair of outlets offering up to 3kW to power tools or charge batteries for handheld equipment such as blowers or strimmers.
Front and rear receiver hitches take a towball so other applications could include manoeuvring caravans.
Jane Carley
