Jason Thompson, the owner of Silverthorne Farm on the Somerset-Dorset border, provides fresh eggs for local markets in the South West. Utilising the power from 200 solar panels which provide an environmentally-friendly relationship between commercial and farming reality, Silverthorne has recently acquired a new Polaris Ranger EV to maximise its efficiency whilst working to reduce its carbon footprint.
Polaris Britain spoke to Jason Thompson about his new vehicle…
“As a poultry farmer, I am not new to Polaris ATVs. I’ve relied on a hard-working, older, petrol-driven ATV for farm transport and odd-jobbing for many years,” Jason Thompson remarked. “When asked to trial the new electric Polaris EV Ranger electric powered utility vehicle, I was keen to see how an eco-UTV would fit in with both the family’s green beliefs and farming needs.
“My customers value the eco-approach to egg production standards and have warmed to the idea of an electric-powered UTV vehicle being used in the day-to-day duties of stock management and off-site delivery. I am extremely pleased with the performance of the two-seater on-demand four-wheel-drive model. It was easy to drive, comfortable and very stable, particularly when used to carry eggs across farm terrain. The quality of build, chassis strength and ease of maintenance were all impressive as was the detail in design to make the model easy to clean and adaptable. My wife was relieved the Polaris EV felt safe thanks to the safety roll cage, a valuable addition over the ATV, as well as impressively handling the duties of a working farm with ease.
“Unexpectedly, the Polaris proved particularly powerful in towing, pulling a Williams 3\4 tonne horse box safely and easily without missing a beat. Field harrowing was completed in comfort with the MacPherson strut front suspension absorbing field bumps and power steering making turns easy. Likewise, the 226 kg payload was appreciated with the Lock and Ride cargo system is easily adapted to secure boxes for farm and road safety,” said Jason, who also approved of the cargo bed’s optional extras, like the waterproof cover, to allow the Ranger to extend its working capabilities.
“I couldn’t believe that all Polaris models included a data tag security system as standard,” Jason continued, “As a deterrent to thief’s that’s extremely useful. The two-seater electric UTV is also too big and heavy to fit in the back of a pickup or small horsebox which I saw as an added advantage against opportunist thieves.”
Jason concluded: “The Polaris Ranger EV stood the test on every challenge during its trial with the Thompson egg farming enterprise. The two-seater model performed well in daylight and night-time duties with the 50 Watt headlight beam providing light work in comfortable, safe and warm working conditions. Its strong, practical, easy and clean design proved value for money for those looking for the electric advantage for their farm.”
For further media information on Polaris ORV products, please contact the Polaris Britain Media Office on +44 (0)1525 270100 or email us at press@polaris-orv.media.
About Polaris
As the global leader in Powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2019 sales of $6.8 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments, and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.
