Battery Electric 18

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Like a mutant centipede crawling out of our nightmares, watching this 18-wheeled all-terrain vehicle is sure to make your skin crawl. Developed by the aptly named 18Wheels out of Helsinki, Finland, and simply called "The ATV," this vehicle is claimed to be the world's first 18-wheeled battery electric ATV.

The company conceived its first prototype in 2021 and finished construction a year later. They set out with the goal of developing a vehicle that would have good mobility on all terrain types without damaging the ground surface. And it's a short video of this prototype that has taken the internet by storm.

What's shown looks like it has a design inspired by Tesla's fabled Cyberquad with the top half sitting on a flat metal platform. The 18 wheels are supported by metal arms that move unidirectionally and act as the springs for the vehicle. From its wild, over-exaggerated movements, it's clear that the vehicle has no dampers to speak of. But hey, it's just a prototype.

Speaking with Ilia Timoshkov, CEO and Co-Founder of 18Wheels, we learned that this first prototype was able to easily scamper over objects that are up to 14 inches tall, and it could climb obstacles that are more than 7.8 inches tall such as curbs, fallen trees, and rocks. Each of the 18 wheels has a built-in, waterproof electric motor. This unique suspension design allows the wheels to act like tank treads, providing unmatched traction while also massively reducing ground pressure by spreading the weight across a much larger surface area.

Wild riding dynamics aside, the Ilia says that the company has taken what has been learned from the original prototype and are ready to begin constructing a second more production-focused prototype later this year. The second-generation ATV will retain the 18-wheel design but swaps the suspension to a more traditional style with coilover shocks providing much of the spring rate and adding damping ability. The vehicle will retain the ability to climb 7.8-inch obstacles and has more than 14 inches of ground clearance. Steering has been modified as well, with each pair of left-and-right side suspension arms articulating in the center giving the vehicle the appearance like that of a centipede navigating curves.

The second prototype will be 92.5 inches in length and will be capable of seating two people. A load carrying capacity of about 400 pounds is shared between the pair of riders and cargo. On the topic of weight, the base vehicle will tip the scales at about 353 pounds, however battery selection is sure to change this figure. The wheels are 6 inches in diameter and the ATV sports a massive 14.5 inches of suspension travel. It carries a 68 mph top speed. The team is planning for two battery sizes, supporting 4 and 8 hours of drive time with a goal of 124 miles of range.

While it's fun to watch this strange and creepy insect-looking vehicle traverse seemingly impossible obstacles while flailing about wildly, there's no denying that the technology behind it is otherworldly. And the fact that it's electric and doing its best to leave no impact on the terrain is certainly a bonus. We can't wait for the day when these ATVs are silently creeping around forest trails while leaving no trace.