ZeroNox Tuatara Is an Electric Workhorse UTV

As the electric UTV market expands rapidly thanks to machines like Polaris’ 2023 Ranger XP Kinetic, new companies are constantly entering the fray. Looking to the utility corridor of the side-by-side space, California startup ZeroNox has introduced an all-electric work-focused machine called the Tuatara.

The eclectically named UTV joins the brand’s other EV conversions and battery upgrades for forklifts, shuttles, carts, and even UTVs. According to ZeroNox’s website, the Tuatara Expedition Vehicle is for “farmers, hunters, and the brave.” The manufacturer claims the machine’s battery is “overkill,” and given the Tuatara’s all-steel construction the whole rig probably falls under that category. Its spec sheet is closer to a small or midsize pickup than a traditional side-by-side.

ZeroNox claims the Tuatara has a bed 5 feet, 6 inches long, longer than that of some trucks, and that bed not only has a power dump feature with 1,200 pounds of capacity, but it also contributes to the substantial 2,170-pound payload capacity. The Tuatara can tow 2,200 pounds and a 3,000-pound winch is standard, as is four-wheel drive.

Top speed is limited to 35 mph but the range is around 100 miles and the Tuatara can charge to full in 3.5 hours on a 220V system. Both a 16 kWh and 32 kWh battery will be offered and a five-year warranty is standard with a 10-year upgrade optional. It’s clear that the Tuatara is geared toward work duty but it presents an interesting prospect for those who need a workhorse with serious capability.