An electric all-terrain vehicle company has launched a crowdfunding round to help put its six-wheel lorry into production.

Devon-based EMotive says there's a 'yawning gap' in the market for a pure-electric, all-terrain vehicle that's suitable for farming, forestry work and adventure tourism, and believes its vehicle is an eco alternative to the mighty Mercedes-Benz Unimog.

The firm has already invested nearly £2m into developing and prototyping the six-wheeled-vehicle and its powertrain, but has now launched a £180,000 crowdfunding round to take the lorry into development, testing and for mass production under licence.

The vehicle uses a bespoke commercial vehicle chassis and can be configured to two-, four- or six-wheel drive configurations with power going to individual wheels. EMotion also wants to licence the technology to quicken the roll-out time. 

Its Crowdcube page says the vehicle has already received interest from utility providers and fire services, and wants to have prototypes on the road this year. 

Emotive founder Bruce Palmer said: "Given that vehicles in our target market are currently responsible for 20% of all transport emissions, it’s only a matter of time before legislation is introduced to clamp down on ATV and off-highway internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and that’s where our opportunity lies. 

"Our vision is to lead a sector where eco-tourism will demand all-terrain e-vehicles that are capable of carrying multiple passengers, and where CSR will drive change in corporate entities such as airports. 

"Now, everyday investors will have the opportunity to be part of this exciting journey through our Crowdcube fundraise, helping us to deliver leading-edge technology that will change the world for the better, at the same time as providing an E-ATV competitor for the ICE Unimog."

Crowdcube investors will not only receive shares in the business, but will also be able to drive the vehicle on a Land Rover experience course and see the technical developments at Emotive's R&D facility in Cullompton, Devon. 

Interested investors can find out more here

EMotive says there's a 'yawning gap' in the market for an electric all-terrain vehicle