A year after launching electrically powered Can-Am motorcycles, and before that a couple of electric snowmobiles, Canadian manufacturer BRP has installed its new Rotax E-Power battery drive unit into the otherwise diesel-fuelled Outlander quad.

Outwardly, there are few giveaways to its electric propulsion, except for the lack of noise when fired up – or, rather, switched on.

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And while no electric vehicle can be truly silent once on the move, the engineers behind the Outlander Electric reckon to have come pretty close, largely thanks to a low-noise cooling system and what they describe as noise-reducing tyres, resulting in a “whisper-quiet” ride.

While many riders will no doubt welcome this marked reduction in decibels over its diesel counterpart, most will be focused on power, torque, range and charging times.

On these key factors, the Outlander scores 47hp, 72Nm, 50 miles “in optimal conditions”, and the ability to replenish the battery from 20% to 80% in just 50 minutes using a Level 2 charger.

Thoughtful use of the three drive modes – labelled normal, sport, work – should help eke out time spent astride the single seat.

Instant throttle response is a given thanks to the immediate torque characteristics of an electric motor, but Can-Am also claims an industry-leading 830kg towing capacity as part of the machine’s four-wheel drive performance credentials.

And there are 120 accessories to ensure the Outlander Electric is well-equipped for work or leisure beyond the standard steel bull-bar and front rack, and the sunken load rack located between the rear mudguards.