Ian Roome spent time with Fred Chugg, who designed and built the VQ, and Wendy Chugg, talking through how the bike has come together and what it means for farms in the area. Roome also tried the bike himself, taking it out on the farm to get a feel for how it handles.
Roome, who rides motorbikes himself, was impressed by how the VQ performed. He also raised some applications beyond farming, including civil defence and military use.
The VQ is built around a 48V battery system, chosen so the operator can swap the battery without specialist tools or a technician visit. It covers up to 50 miles on a single charge, tows up to 900kg, and reaches a top speed of 40mph, with speed and torque configurable depending on terrain and rider. A full charge takes 2.5 hours from a standard 13-amp plug. It is Light Agricultural classified and designed and built in the UK.
It was a good day all round. For a team used to explaining the VQ through spec sheets and demo videos, having a local MP on the farm, asking questions and driving the thing, was a different kind of conversation, and a welcome one.
Volt Quads is based in North Devon and builds electric quad bikes for UK farms. To see the bike for yourself, get in touch with the team.
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