BRP readies for era of electric vehicles
Snowmobile makers have traditionally prioritized power and performance over emissions — given they cater to consumers who want to rip around at high speeds through back country areas that are literally off the electric grid.
But BRP Inc., one of the world’s leading recreational vehicle makers known for its Ski-Doos and Sea-Doos, has been preparing for electrification in the powersports industry, revealing a lineup of all-electric concept vehicles at a dealer event last week.
Its prototypes, all of which have been road tested, also included new trikes and bikes designed for urban mobility. That’s a potential new market for the Valcourt, Que., company, which could potentially compete with or supply vehicles — perhaps even ones that work in the snow — to bike or scooter sharing companies such as Bird or Lime.
BRP, much like automakers, can’t deny the trend toward electrification and evolving consumer demand for more sustainable products, said Denys Lapointe, BRP’s senior-vice president of design, innovation and creative services.
“Obviously we’re in an era of change. There’s definitely this new generation coming along, Gen Y, Gen Z, obviously they’re more concerned on the global footprint,” Lapointe said.
BRP’s first attempt to sell electric vehicles came in 1996 with a “neighbourhood electric vehicle” that looked like a cross between a Smart Fortwo and a golf cart.
The market wasn’t quite ready at the time, Lapointe said, so BRP shied away from the technology for a few years.
BRP has been working on hybrid technology since about 2010. Much like the rest of the auto industry, the problem is building vehicles with comparable power and range at a similar price.
“(Our consumers) probably would convert very easily if we were able to provide a product at the same cost,” Lapointe said.
So far, BRP has launched an electric kart for racing. It’s also hosting a design competition at six post-secondary schools in North America and Europe to create scooter-type concepts that work in winter conditions. The winner gets a paid internship to build the concept vehicle at BRP’s studio.
“Obviously it is part of our DNA and we know what to do to move on snow. It would be natural for us to explore in this arena,” Lapointe said.
BRP won’t reveal timelines for releasing the other vehicles, but noted the prototypes have been tested in Barcelona, San Francisco, Paris and Montreal.
“It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” Lapointe said.
The announcement sparked analysts’ interest even though it could still be years before BRP sells all-electric vehicles.
“The fact that the company is already road testing concepts suggests it is well advanced in its efforts,” National Bank analyst Cameron Doerksen noted to clients last week.