What to Consider When Selecting a Utility Vehicle
Full size vehicles will not be used for transporting materials or carrying out warehouse tasks as they will not be cost-effective. This is where utility task vehicles come in useful. These are an upgrade from the lightweight golf carts and they can be used for a variety of tasks.
A utility vehicle is used for material handling, towing, hauling, transporting etc. They are used extensively in service areas and they are used in commercial, industrial, construction and institutional industries. You need to think about the environment that the utility vehicle will be used in. This will determine the size of the vehicle and its power. There are several factors you have to consider such as whether you will be using the vehicle in off-road or on-road conditions. If it is the latter, you will need to select street-legal vehicles. If you are using the vehicle in close quarters, you will need to be careful about the size of the vehicle. For example, in a warehouse environment you need to consider the width of the aisles and whether the vehicle can manoeuver within it. An important factor is the turn radius. Aesthetics may not be a priority on your list. But you can still consider whether the vehicle is visually pleasing if you are selecting it for a professional setting where it will be largely visible to the customers. A commercial style vehicle will be best suited for this. In an industrial or manufacturing environment, you can select a more industrial style robust vehicle.
Think about the daily use of the vehicle. If you are expecting heavy wear and tear, you will need to select a utility vehicle that is durable and made for that function. If you are operating the vehicle inside an enclosed facility, you may not need to consider the weather resistance of the vehicle. But if you are operating this outside, think about the general weather you will be facing. There can be heavy rain or scorching hot conditions that the vehicle needs to operate in and therefore, it should have the right construction to withstand the elements. If there are special tasks that you want to accomplish, you need to look for a vehicle that is compatible with the attachments you use. This is something you can speak with the supplier of the vehicle. Once you go through these parameters, you will be able to slowly narrow down a category for a utility vehicle that suits your requirements best.
Think about how the vehicle is powered as well; whether it required diesel, gas or electricity. Electric utility vehicles are generally easier to manage as you can simply charge them within the facility. But this will also depend on the amount of power you require. Electricity is also a more sustainable source of energy especially if you produce electricity on site using solar panels or other renewable energy sources. Sustainable options may have more financing options depending on where you are located.