- An electric off-roader could be in the works from Ariel
- Ariel revealed the E-Nomad concept with a 41-kwh battery and 150 miles of range
- If there's enough customer interest the E-Nomad could go into production and come to the U.S.
Low-volume British automaker Ariel has electrified its minimalist Nomad off-roader.
Ariel recently unveiled the E-Nomad concept, which swaps the vehicle's small gasoline engine for an electric motor and battery pack while incorporating body panels made from sustainable material. The Nomad itself is an off-road version of the Ariel Atom, with both cars being little more than tube frame chassis with wheels attached.
The concept is based on the redesigned Ariel Nomad 2, which recently launched with a Ford-sourced 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine available in 260 hp, 302 hp, and 305 hp tunes. In the E-Nomad, that's been replaced by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 281 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque. Ariel claims this will match the gasoline version's best 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
Ariel E-Nomad concept
A 41-kwh battery pack comprised of pouch cells affords an estimated 150 miles of range, likely based on the more optimistic European WLTP testing cycle. The pack also features a dedicated heater for pre-conditioning in cold weather. A CCS DC fast-charging connector allows for a 20-80% charge in about 25 minutes.
While it still lacks doors, the E-Nomad does have a roof and more-enclosed body sides than the production Nomad, helping to reduce aerodynamic drag by 30%. These are made from flax, which Ariel claims is 9% lighter than carbon fiber and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 73%. The bodywork helps contribute to a 1,975-pound curb weight—fairly svelte for an EV but still about 400 pounds heavier than a gasoline Nomad 2.
Ariel has experimented with electrification before, unveiling the gas-turbine range-extended Hipercar in 2022. Supplier Borg Warner, which provided the motor for the E-Nomad, also showed its own electric Nomad prototype in 2019. But the company hasn't made a final decision on whether to sell the E-Nomad to customers.
Ariel E-Nomad concept
Testing of the E-Nomad will continue as Ariel monitors customer interest, the company said in a press release. If it does go into production, there's a reasonable chance the E-Nomad will reach the U.S., as Ariel has imported its gasoline Nomad and Atom previously.
The E-Nomad could serve as a wilder alternative to the Rivian R3 and R3X, which are also designed to scamper around off road, but future more conventional styling that recalls vintage hatchbacks. Specific launch timing hasn't been confirmed, but Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has said the R3X will arrive first, "as soon as possible" after the 2026 launch of the R2 SUV.
