First-Of-Its-Kind All-Electric ATV

2002 - Volume #26, Issue #6, Page #43

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"Hunters like it because it doesn't scare away game. Farmers like it because they can hear what's going on around them. Recreational riders like it because it's tough, stylish and inexpensive to operate," says Rick Doran about his new all-electric "Gorilla" ATV.
    The Gorilla rides on heavy duty Dana axles and differential. "The battery compartment is at the center of the vehicle. We located it as low as possible to the ground to keep the center of gravity low and to provide easy access," he says. Although his 4-wheelers are considerably lighter than other ATV's, he says they're powerful, nimble, stable and, of course, extremely quiet.
    For power, he used electric motors that are similar in operation to those found on golf carts but with much higher torque and speeds.
    Doran uses a freewheeling automotive style differential rather than a solid axle as most ATV's use. "This is somewhat of a weakness if you're a serious off-roader, since if you spin one wheel, you may be stuck," he admits. "But, on the other hand, it doesn't tear up turf on tight turns."
    Doran's Gorillas are available in four models. The basic Worker Gorilla has a 24-volt motor, allowing it to tow up to 4,000 lbs., carry a 650-lb. load, and, when not loaded, travel at 12 to 14 mph. It sells for $4,595. Other models are available, including a street-legal one that travels at speeds up to 25 mph.
    Doran says the Gorilla goes 30 miles on a charge, depending on load. The 3-battery 24-volt pack gives the longest range of about 35 miles without a load. "If you're pulling or hauling, it cuts your range back a little, but you should still have plenty of range for most uses," Doran says.
    All Gorilla electric vehicles have a battery level gauge that helps avoid getting caught with your battery down.
    The standard onboard charger plugs into any standard 110-volt AC grounded outlet. "It's completely automatic, so when the battery is fully charged, it shuts off. You can leave it plugged in all the time when it's parked," he notes.    Doran says even with continued use, you can expect the battery packs to last at least three years.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rick Doran, Gorilla Vehicles LLC, 5672 Littler Drive, Huntington Beach, Calif. 92649 (ph 714 377-7776; E-mail: gorilla@gorillavehicles.com; Website: www.gorillavehicles.com).

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First-Of-Its-Kind All-Electric ATV ATV S ATV S Hunters like it because it doesn t scare away game Farmers like it because they can hear what s going on around them Recreational riders like it because it s tough stylish and inexpensive to operate says Rick Doran about his new all-electric Gorilla ATV The Gorilla rides on heavy duty Dana axles and differential The battery compartment is at the center of the vehicle We located it as low as possible to the ground to keep the center of gravity low and to provide easy access he says Although his 4-wheelers are considerably lighter than other ATV s he says they re powerful nimble stable and of course extremely quiet For power he used electric motors that are similar in operation to those found on golf carts but with much higher torque and speeds Doran uses a freewheeling automotive style differential rather than a solid axle as most ATV s use This is somewhat of a weakness if you re a serious off-roader since if you spin one wheel you may be stuck he admits But on the other hand it doesn t tear up turf on tight turns Doran s Gorillas are available in four models The basic Worker Gorilla has a 24-volt motor allowing it to tow up to 4 000 lbs carry a 650-lb load and when not loaded travel at 12 to 14 mph It sells for $4 595 Other models are available including a street-legal one that travels at speeds up to 25 mph Doran says the Gorilla goes 30 miles on a charge depending on load The 3-battery 24-volt pack gives the longest range of about 35 miles without a load If you re pulling or hauling it cuts your range back a little but you should still have plenty of range for most uses Doran says All Gorilla electric vehicles have a battery level gauge that helps avoid getting caught with your battery down The standard onboard charger plugs into any standard 110-volt AC grounded outlet It s completely automatic so when the battery is fully charged it shuts off You can leave it plugged in all the time when it s parked he notes Doran says even with continued use you can expect the battery packs to last at least three years Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Rick Doran Gorilla Vehicles LLC 5672 Littler Drive Huntington Beach Calif 92649 ph 714 377-7776; E-mail: gorilla@gorillavehicles com; Website: www gorillavehicles com

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