Urban Transport

Poland's EV4 heads to the mountains with electric cart and skateboard

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The electric Mountain Cart 4x4 has a low center of gravity, powerful motors and a battery pack that's good for miles of off-road fun
EV4
Looking like something from the set of a Mad Max movie, the Mountain Cart 4x4 is ready to head off road
EV4
The electric Mountain Cart 4x4 has a low center of gravity, powerful motors and a battery pack that's good for miles of off-road fun
EV4
As we've come to expect from Poland's EV4, the Mountain Cart 4x4 sports a rivet-packing industrial design
EV4
The low height and adjustable seat make this electric off-roader easy to mount from a wheelchair
EV4
The Mountain Cart 4x4 has a top speed of 40 km/h and per charge range of 120 km
EV4
The Mountain Cart 4x4 rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in motorcycle tires, with a 2,500-W motor at each wheel
EV4
The unusual Boardzilla Mountain Board in its natural environment
EV4
The Boardzilla Mountain Board features two 3,500-W motors
EV4
The pneumatic suspension sits atop the mid-mounted battery box
EV4
The Boardzilla Mountain Board features EV4's tilting system
EV4
The Boardzilla (right) introduces its Mountain Board cousin (left) to the streets of Paris
EV4
The Boardzilla Mountain Board is controlled by a wireless handheld remote
EV4
The foot supports are angled upward, which EV4 says gives a more natural ride
EV4
Leaning into the curve courtesy of EV4's tilting mechanism
EV4
The tilt stabilizer prevents the board from tilting forward or backward during acceleration and braking
EV4
View gallery - 15 images

Last year, Polish engineer Jack Skopinski launched an electric trail machine designed for disabled riders wanting to venture off the beaten track. Around the same time, he built an off-road electric skateboard featuring two 2,500-W motors. Now he's made a 4x4 version of the Mountain Cart and upped the power for a Mountain Board flavor of the Boardzilla.

Like all of EV4's electric vehicles, the Mountain Cart 4x4 and the Boardzilla Mountain Board have a rugged industrial design thanks to Skopinski's love of riveted aluminum as a build material. And like the original Mountain Cart, the ruggedized version has been designed with disabled riders in mind.

As we've come to expect from Poland's EV4, the Mountain Cart 4x4 sports a rivet-packing industrial design
EV4

The Mountain Cart 4x4 sports 20-inch wheels wrapped in motorcycle tires, and each wheel is powered by a 2,500-W direct-drive motor for a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). And there's an 85-Ah Li-ion battery pack for up to 120 km (75 mi) of per charge range.

Four spring shocks help smooth out the inevitable bumps, stopping power is provided by hydraulic disc brakes, an LCD display shows charge level, speed and so on, and the area in front of the handlebar can be used to secure cargo.

Optional accessories include front and rear lighting, a handbrake that locks against the rear tire, armrests for the bucket seat, and a smartphone mount.

The Boardzilla Mountain Board edition certainly has a look all its own, and features EV4's tilting mechanism for leaning into the curve. This model also rocks an interesting suspension setup, with a pneumatic shock absorber and tilt stabilizer riding above the battery housing for the promise of up to 50-mm of travel and a "comfortable ride on uneven surfaces."

The unusual Boardzilla Mountain Board in its natural environment
EV4

EV4 says that steering knuckles have been included to reduce wobble at high speeds and allow the wheels to tilt into the curve for increased traction. Where other boards feature a single deck for riding on, this model's foot supports are angled upward and sat either side of the mid-mounted battery housing/suspension mechanism.

Elsewhere, the two 3,500-W motors promise top speeds of up to 45 km/h (28 mph), the 20-Ah Li-ion battery should be good for up to 40 km (25 mi) per charge, and control comes via a handheld wireless remote.

Both electric trail blazers are up for order now, though EV4 has not revealed pricing. The first video below shows the Mountain Cart 4x4 in action, while the second introduces the Boardzilla Mountain Board.

Update December 1, 2020: EV4 has informed us that pricing for the Mountain Cart 4x4 will be around US$13,500, and the Boardzilla Mountain Board comes in at $3,500 (though there is a self-assembly kit available for $1,300, which does not include electric components).

Product pages: Mountain Cart 4x4, Boardzilla Mountain Board

View gallery - 15 images
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5 comments
WB
quite the monstrosity not in a good way lol but hey I am sure it floats some people's boats...
BlueOak
Interesting gadgets, if a bit funky. But who is going to order, not knowing the price?
buzzclick
So basically it's an electric ATV that makes less noise and can still rip up the countryside or do doughnuts in your driveway. It even has a roll bar if you really wanna get crazy. Skopinski should be happy to make one, and be done with it.
Bob809
I like the Mountain Cart, can it reverse?
Lee Bell
Now that one has enough power to actually go up and down hills and maybe even give a good ride on dirt or gravel roads. It looks a bit rough but I think that is because it's not designed to be pretty but get you from point a to point b with a good ride. I like it.