3 Things to Know Before You Buy an Electric Personnel Carrier

Personnel carriers are a cost-effective way to transport staff, security personnel, a maintenance crew, or even customers. These vehicles are not street-legal,* but are ideal for factories, warehouses, sports arenas and other outdoor venues.

Electric personnel carriers and passenger trams meet or exceed the performance of gas-powered vehicles, but cost much less to repair and maintain. In today’s post, we’ll answer common questions about these vehicles and give you some suggestions on what to ask before you make a purchase.

* Looking for information about buying a street-legal golf cart or electric maintenance vehicle? Please read our earlier post.

How far can an electric personnel carrier go on one charge?

Starting on a full charge, the vehicle can go up to 40 miles. Driving habits, the amount of weight transported and road conditions affect this number. The 40 mile range can be expected for a vehicle driving on a flat and level service, non-towing.

How long does it take to charge the batteries?

An electric utility vehicle, such as a personnel carrier, will fully charge in eight to ten hours when plugged into a standard 110-volt outlet.  

4 Factors to Consider Before Buying an Industrial Personnel Carrier

How many passengers do you need to transport? Personnel carriers can move anywhere from one to 30 passengers. This BT-280 can carry up to 30 people in a single trip when equipped with a tow-behind passenger tram. 

Taylor-Dunn’s Big Foot XL is popular with schools and universities. It has an optional cab with lockable doors and a towing capacity of up to 10,000lbs.

How much weight do you need to haul or tow?
We carry personnel carriers that can tow up to 12,500lbs

Do you need to extend the vehicle’s range? Upgrading the batteries to lithium ion can extend the vehicle’s range to 80 miles on a single charge.  If lithium ion batteries aren’t in your budget,  consider an on-board charger instead. This allows you charge the vehicle whenever and wherever 110-volt power is available. 

Do you need a specialized vehicle? A variety of customization options are available. There’s even a personnel carrier designed to be an ambulance. 

If you’re interested in purchasing a personnel carrier, or have further questions, please contact us. We also rent electric utility vehicles.

Further Reading:
View our inventory of electric personnel carriers. 
Guide to buying a street legal maintenance vehicle or golf cart /NEV.