Some recent news stories point to the impact of gas prices on the STOV market as local governments try to reduce fuel costs by turning to electric vehicles.  In some cases capital expenditures are reduced as well when these vehicles replace pickup trucks or highway capable cars.  The cost effectiveness of these vehicles, in part, explains why the UTV market is significantly outpacing growth in the overall US economy.

One story comes from the Chicago area where the Naperville Park District is trying to manage a potential $30,000 budget shortfall driven by fuel costs.  One of several responses by the district’s management is to purchase electric utility vehicles.  Napervillesun.suntimes.com

In upstate New York the police department in the town of Rome are testing two Polaris EV LSVs.  The electric UTVs, based on the popular gas-powered Ranger, are street-legal and will be tested for everyday use by patrolmen over a two to three week period.  Besides cutting fuel costs, which can be substantial given the round the clock use of police vehicles, the police captain also noted the stealth nature of the vehicles.  The Polaris vehicles were chosen for testing over vehicles such as the Chevy Volt and other electric UTVs from Bad Boy Buggies and Ruff and Tuff.  Learn more:  Romeobserver.com