Technology

Polaris introduces its all-electric Ranger UTV

Polaris, a global manufacturer of multi-utility vehicles has unveiled its latest offering, the RANGER XP Kinetic featuring an entirely new electric powertrain born in partnership with Zero Motorcycles

RANGER XP Kinetic is available as a three-seat model and will feature a Premium and Ultimate trim. The Premium trim contains a single 14.9 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers an estimated range of 70kms, while the Ultimate trims deliver 29.8 kWh of battery capacity with an estimated range of 130kms.

According to Polaris, an Industry-leading 110 HP and 140lb-ft of instant torque deliver the maximum capability for confidently hauling and towing heavy loads even over tough terrain. Tow capacity is rated to 1134kg with a load haul capacity of 567kgs. RANGER XP Kinetic also features 35.5-centimetres of ground clearance and 25.4-centimetres of suspension travel. The EV is equipped with 74-centimetre, eight-ply Pro Armor X-Terrain tires for maximum traction and durability to crawl over rocks and ruts.

The electric powertrain features fewer moving parts, meaning less maintenance and more uptime. RANGER XP Kinetic has been torture-tested by Polaris in extreme conditions and treacherous terrain and is backed by a one-year factory-installed warranty, three-year electric powertrain coverage and five-year battery coverage. Scheduled maintenance costs are expected to be 70% less than average maintenance costs for similar fuel-powered vehicles.

RANGER XP Kinetic’s powertrain motors deliver quiet operation around livestock. The electric powertrain delivers smooth, precise control when operating at low speeds, so customers will have full control and confidence while towing, backing up to a trailer or while spraying.

A 12V cargo box outlet is convenient for powering accessories like sprayers or charging portable batteries. A new shifter design includes high, low, neutral and park, but features a new, integrated switch for forward and reverse so customers change directions with the flip of a switch, making tasks like ploughing fast and efficient.

XP Kinetic comes standard with a combined Level 1 / Level 2 EV charge cord that allows customers to charge from a 120V or 240V outlet. Factory-installed on-board charging rate is three kW for the Premium trim and six kW for the Ultimate trim. Both can reach full charge from 0% in as-fast-as five hours as equipped. With the available accessory onboard charging system, rates can be boosted to six kW for Premium and nine kW for Ultimate for up to 50% faster charge times. A 240V power supply is recommended for the fastest charging and can deliver over 4x faster charging than a standard 120V outlet.

World Bank provides US$200mn to strengthen irrigation services in the Logone River Valley

The World Bank has approved a US$200mn credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to support Cameroon’s agricultural production in the Valley of Logone, located in the Far North region and part of the Lake Chad basin

Somali farmers get access to Case IH machinery

CNH Industrial has partnered with Somalia-based agro-cooperative group Gaalooge Cooperative, a move that is set to help the Somali farmers access new machinery from Case IH, as well as service and parts support

Dake Rechsand highlights water savings and desert transformation solutions

Dake Rechsand, a Dubai-based company offering sustainable solutions in water conservation and desert farming, highlighted the unique capabilities of its award-winning breathable sand technology, at the virtual Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) event, held from 21-25 November, as part of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week

As part of the virtual event, Chandra Dake, CEO and founder of Dake Rechsand showcased a presentation on ‘Impactful desert landscape using Rechsand range’ where he talked about transforming deserts into arable land in the UAE, with the help of his company’s breathable sand.

Dake Reschand claims that a one-time application of this technology results in up to 80% in water savings, compared to other conventional methods. The company’s breathable sand has unique water retention properties, combined with air permeability, which can massively empower sustainability in residential and commercial projects, especially in the desert and dry settings.

The breathable sand, or ‘magic sand’ as the CEO likes to call it, can also be used to collect rainwater that falls on any surface to create a decentralised rainwater harvesting network, which can result in an untapped new source of potable water. Dake Rechsand has leveraged this technology to create its patented ‘Honey Comb’ water harvesting system, which allows water to be stored for up to seven years – keeping it fresh and free of algae, with zero chemical use and zero energy input.

Dake Rechsand has demonstrated the potential of its technology, with the results it achieved at Al Ajban farms, Abu Dhabi. The high dependence that the farms had on desalination plants, for irrigation, led to it having a high carbon footprint. Addressing this unsustainable dependence led to experimenting with the application of ‘magic sand’ and the resulting project allowed Al Ajban farms to grow abundant and high-quality pulses, beans, tomatoes, chillies, mangoes and lemons. This was achieved by using little to no fertilisers, and reduced water usage by 70-80% on average.

The breathable sand technology has previously turned more than 2,000 sq km of the world’s most arid and hot deserts in China, into lush green cover. The Ministry of Education, UAE has approved the application of breathable sand in multiple schools and the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has agreed to plant 1,000 trees using the technology, in the first phase of a project it is undertaking.

World Bank provides US$200mn to strengthen irrigation in Logone River Valley

The World Bank has approved a credit on 30 November 2021 from the International Development Association (IDA) in the amount of US$200mn to support Cameroon’s agricultural production in the Valley of Logone, located in the Far North region and being part of the Lake Chad basin

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