Farm buggies continue to be all the rage, with checks on livestock, taking feed up remote hills, managing game birds and spreading slug pellets among the varied roles they perform.

In this year’s Ultimate Guide, the number of new models with electric power is notable, with Spanish manufacturer Corvus and Norfolk-based Electric Wheels joining existing machines from HiSun, Polaris (with an expanded range), Quadzilla and Yamaha.

See also: On test: John Deere Gator XUV 865R UTV

Corvus Terrain

The new Corvus Terrain EX4 distributed by Boss Off-road Vehicles is equipped with a 15kWh lithium-ion battery to power a 13kW motor and four-wheel-drive CVT transmission.

Two drive settings provide a choice of range or power to suit different circumstances and will propel the vehicle to its 40kph top speed.

Like its diesel-engined counterparts, the EX4 is available to Base, Pro and Cab specification, all with electric power steering. However, it is outgunned on carrying capacity, which is rated at 300kg versus 450kg for the tipping cargo box, and 755kg towing instead of 907kg.

On top of the Base model’s two-seat open cabin, Pro spec adds a front windscreen with wash/wipe, a rear screen and 67 litres of under-seat storage. The EX4 Cab version gets full-length doors and a heated windscreen.

Electric Wheels Nipper

The Nipper compact electric buggy from Electric Wheels is equipped with either lead-acid or higher performance lithium-ion batteries to power a 5kW motor driving through a three-speed CVT.

It sports a 77x120cm electrically-powered tipping cargo box carrying up to 200kg behind the two-seater cabin, and its towing capacity is rated at 750kg.

Standard equipment includes a tow bar, front winch, roof and front windscreen with wash/wipe, plus power steering on the lithium-ion model.

Electric Wheels reckons the newcomer is capable of 45kph and travelling up to 75 miles on a single charge – depending upon how the vehicle is driven, of course.

Set up in 2019, the company hires out low-emissions buggies to event organisers and emergency services, and for film-making, agriculture and horticulture. It also distributes the Ubco electric off-road motorcycle.

HiSun Sector

Oxfordshire-based distributor Barrus dipped its toe in the battery power market with the HiSun Vector E1 dry cell battery model, and has now added four new side-by-side buggies from the manufacturer.

This time they feature higher performance lithium-ion batteries and a choice of electric motor ratings.

The range-topping HiSun Sector 15 packs an AC motor rated at 15kW but capable of 37.5kW bursts, powered by a 16.5kWh battery said to typically take 5.5 hours to accumulate a full charge. This, Barrus reckons, will keep the vehicle working for a full day.

The new Sector 15 is a little larger than the company’s petrol engine models, although the bigger cargo box measuring 143cm long, 106cm wide and 33cm deep has a lesser load rating of 350kg, versus 544kg.

A four-person version has a longer wheelbase to accommodate a second bench seat while retaining the rear cargo box, and then there is the Sector 7.5, which is a lower-powered variant of the two-seater with a 14.7kWh battery and 7.5kW motor.

The Sector 5 rounds off the newcomers as a more compact runaround option with a 12.7kWh battery and 5kW rated, 14kW maximum electric drive motor.

All models have the option of the fully enclosed cab kit that includes a glass windscreen with wash/wipe, rear screen, metal roof and lockable doors.

As standard, they come with a front-mounted winch and a rear tow hitch, and electric power steering is fitted to the three larger machines.

Polaris Ranger

Polaris has extended its EV range with the Ranger XP Kinetic, featuring a new electric powertrain with AC motors, three power delivery modes and significantly more poke than existing machinery, at 82kW.

The three-seat vehicle comes in Premium trim with a 14.9kWh lithium-ion battery and an estimated range of 43 miles, while the Ultimate version has 29.8kWh of battery capacity and a range of about 80 miles.

That power output, and the ability to put it to good use, gives the XP Kinetic a tow rating of 1.1t, while its 25cm of suspension travel is reckoned to result in pretty good ride comfort over a rough surface.

Scheduled maintenance costs, meanwhile, are said to be 70% less than for comparable fuel-powered vehicles and the newcomer is compatible with almost all Ranger XP 1000 accessories.

Can-Am Traxter

BRP has added XU versions to the Pro DPS models in the Can-Am Traxter line-up.

Powered by the 82hp HD10 version of BRP’s petrol engine, Pro variants have a longer wheelbase and load deck than other Traxters – the power-tipping bed being 180cm long instead of the regular 96cm.

The XU package includes two- and four-wheel drive with an open or locked rear axle differential in addition to an auto-locking front diff, operator-adjustable, speed-related power steering, and a 2t winch.

A triple-axle, six-wheel drive model also makes it into the Traxter range using the 82hp engine; apart from some extra towing capacity, spreading the weight over six instead of four tyres enables the 6×6 to tread more gently.

CFMoto UForce

At CFMoto, the 495cc, 39hp UForce Tracker 550 has been replaced by the more powerful 600 EPS, sporting a 580cc petrol engine developing 41hp, with electronic power steering standard as before.

It is a tad heavier at 640kg and the cargo box rated capacity is down 50kg at 250kg but the towing quota is higher, at 640kg.

Also, a longer-wheelbase XL version of the UForce 1000 EPS has been introduced to accommodate a driver and five passengers on two rows of bench seats, which have storage space beneath them.

Weighing in at 945kg, the XL has a bigger payload capacity while retaining the 500kg rating for the tipping cargo box, which is the same size as on the single bench seat model.

John Deere Gator

Deere has added an HVAC option – heating, ventilation and air conditioning – to the Gator XUV 835M when fitted with a full cab kit.

Segway Fugleman

There is a new kid on the block in the shape of Segway, the Chinese manufacturer best known for its self-balancing two-wheel transport.

Its Fugleman U10TX Deluxe is the first side-by-side from the company’s Powersports division and, with its rakish lines, the newcomer looks unashamedly “sporty” for the driver and two passengers accommodated in individual seats.

The visual promise is backed up by topping the category power charts with a 1,000cc petrol engine and 105hp peak output.

However, the 130x92cm manually tipped cargo box earns the Fugleman practicality credentials, as does the electric front winch that comes as standard, and the driver can select three different levels of steering assistance.

As with its Segway Snarler quad, the Fugleman features a touchscreen control system, Bluetooth-enabled Airlock security ignition and an app that can be used to programme driving modes and access ride data, such as power, torque, range, mileage and speed.

Cheerio

In contrast, Ransomes Jacobsen has dropped the Cushman 1600XDR, and Honda has discontinued the Pioneer 700, focusing instead on the compact 520 model with its 518cc petrol engine and dual-clutch transmission.