Get Electric
The Latest Battery-Powered Adventure Vehicles
From off-road trucks to inner-city scooters, the world of battery-powered vehicles is growing—fast. Thanks to advances in battery technology, the efficiency and range of the batteries used in vehicles is growing, too, meaning more and more ways to power your adventures.
By 2030, the International Energy Agency predicts there’ll be 125 million electric vehicles on the road, and as states like California chase zero emissions goals, the age of electric adventure transport might arrive sooner than you think.
To help you navigate the options for your next battery-powered trip, we looked at some of the latest electric vehicles to hit the market: what they offer, where to use them, and how they can help you find adventure.
Rivian R1T
Rivian’s mission is to create “vehicles to inspire people to explore the world in new ways,” and their latest project, the R1T, promises to do exactly that. This all-electric pickup truck boasts a 400-mile range on a single charge, an 11,000-pound towing capacity, and a host of other features aimed at adventuring—not least its 350-liter “gear tunnel” that’s big enough to swallow everything from your surfboard to your trad rack.
But don’t take it from us—take it from alex Honnold, one of Rivian’s ambassadors. In Honnold’s words, he’s “so excited [there’s] an electric vehicle that’s rugged enough to handle the rough dirt roads that access all my local climbing areas.” And he’s not wrong: the R1T will tackle most terrain you can throw at it, while going 0–60mph in an eye-watering 3.2 seconds. The company even has plans to offer the truck with a modular bed, allowing you to effortlessly switch between a camper top or a cargo box. The R1T is available to pre-order now, with an expected delivery in late 2020.
Price: From $69,000
Devinci AC NX/GX Eagle
Quebec-based bike manufacturer Devinci has poured its 25-plus years of experience into creating a range of e-bikes that lead the way in battery-powered pedaling. Their enduro e-bike, the Devinci AC NX/GX Eagle, is made for assisted sending. Thanks to a Shimano STEPS E8000 motor, this powerful trail slayer will have you crushing dirt climbs again and again, with enough left in the tank to truly rail the descents. FOX suspension softens the big hits while providing excellent traction. The rider feels confident at speed thanks to a long and slack geometry, and with a pedal-assisted drive system, there will be speed—up to 20 mph. The lightweight aluminum frame—handmade in Canada—also comes backed by a lifetime warranty.
Price: $5,899.00
Alta Redshift EXR
Billed as a dirt bike with lights and a plate, this California-made multi-terrain motorcycle is totally street legal, but built to tame the toughest off-road terrain. With one charge, it’ll ride 50 miles in the city or 4-5 hours on the trail—ample time to make it to the local off-road park and back. Plus, a full recharge using the rapid 240v adaptor will take just 1.5 hours. According to Alta, the Redshift’s liquid-cooled 14,000 RPM motor is one of the most powerful in motorsports. But don’t let that put you off if you’re just starting out, as the bike also comes equipped with four modes to choose from, allowing riders to tailor the bike’s performance to their skill level and terrain.
Price: $12,495
Bird Scooters
Battery-powered adventures don’t have to take place deep in the wilderness. When you’re not on your bike, scooters offer a fun way to zip around the city without adding to traffic congestion or pollution. Santa Monica-based company Bird offers electric scooters for rent in more than 100 cities around the world—meaning that wherever you go, there will likely be an electric alternative for exploring. Accessed through an app that shows the live locations of all available scooters, users can easily find a ride, scan the QR code to activate it, then get going. Speeds of up to 15 mph provide plenty of thrill for your inner-city cruise, and a hop-on hop-off policy means you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot when you’re done.
Price: $1.29 per minute
Nissan e-NV200
While this electric pop-top camper is only currently due for release in Spain, the Nissan e-NV200 could be a sign of things to come for the North American RV market. The van will be available in two packages—a weekend sleeper or a full camper with an integrated kitchen—and customers will have the option to further kit out their order with custom features at their local Nissan dealership.
There’s no official word on whether this e-camper will make it stateside, but the industry is certainly taking note. VW has promised an all-electric Microbus by 2022, and Winnebago recently partnered with electric vehicle experts Motiv to produce their own all-electric platform. However the limited range (85–125 miles) and reduced body options mean its only current application is commercial. #Vanlife enthusiasts: This is definitely a development to keep your eye on.
Price: $TBA