Company And Industry Expertise
Q: Can you tell us a bit about Westward Industries and what sets your electric utility vehicles apart from others on the market?
A: Westward Industries has been in the business for over 30 years—the company started in 1990 and was purchased by our family in 2012. Back then the company only made one vehicle – the GO-4 Interceptor. This vehicle was built to meet specifications as a specialized police enforcement vehicle that was small and could move between rows of backed up traffic, with a unique 3-wheel design that allowed the vehicle to perform tight turns where other normal sized vehicles would get stuck.
The GO-4 Interceptor has since gone through many upgrades to make it more versatile and able to perform many different jobs, but the most common use case for it is still as a parking enforcement vehicle. Knowing this, we started to partner with License Plate Recognition (ALPR) software distributors so we could install the cameras and computer system directly at the factory to make parking enforcement routes up to 100% more efficient (see case study)
The GO-4 Interceptor is also rather famous, you can find it in over 70 different blockbuster movies / TV shows, including Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024), Free Guy (2021), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Zombieland (2009), Desperate Housewives, (2004-2012), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), Law & Order (1990-2025), and many many more. (source)
In recent years we have introduced several new electric utility vehicles to the general market—including the MAX-EV LSV, our electric low-speed utility vehicle. This is a street legal, 4-wheel electric utility vehicle that has the same automotive grade components and a standard 2.5” powder-coated steel rollbar chassis as the GO-4. The MAX-EV can tow up to 1,500lbs and includes a 4WD option to allow the vehicle to excel in rough terrain.
The MAX-EV was designed to be better suited in more varied applications than the GO-4 which was more geared towards being a nimble on-road vehicle with a tight turning radius. The MAX-EV is a fleet workhorse. It can be fitted with numerous body attachments – like a van body for last-mile delivery services, a tilt-bed for hauling / dumping various materials – useful for landscaping, or tool boxes and a ladder rack for use as a maintenance utility vehicle.
Q: What trends are you seeing in the electric utility vehicle industry, and how is Westward staying ahead of them?
A: The industry is always growing and changing as new battery technologies get introduced onto the market – like when lithium-ion batteries started gaining more popularity and performance over older lead acid batteries. Companies in general are being more environmentally conscious and Westward is doing their part to make sure our vehicles are able to meet this demand.
The GO-4 Interceptor was originally a gas-only vehicle, but in 2014 we developed a long lasting electric powered version- allowing the GO-4 Interceptor to now be included as an electric vehicle and help make an effort to transition into greener fleet vehicles for cities and other large commercial operations.
The MAX-EV on the other hand started off exclusively as an electric utility vehicle, still we have continued to improve the range and performance as battery life and more sustainable technologies become available. For Summer 2025, all models will have optional integrated battery heating for cold climates.
Q: How has the demand for electric utility vehicles changed over the last few years?
A: It’s grown a lot. 5 years ago, everyone only wanted gas. During COVID, it switched 180 degrees to everyone wanting electric, and now it is re-calibrating again. We are much further ahead than we were with EV adoption—and with uniquely useful electric vehicles like the GO-4 Interceptor and the MAX-EV LSV, we’re hoping EV adoption rates will grow even higher; there are a lot of advantages to having an all-electric fleet.
Q: Why are businesses and municipalities increasingly switching to electric utility vehicles over gas-powered alternatives?
A: Electric vehicles are quieter, and there are no or low maintenance costs. EVs are also less expensive long term; your typical charging costs between $1-3 a shift, compared to the high cost of gas. Plus the upfront cost of a full gas powered truck might be three times the cost of a smaller electric utility vehicle that in many cases could still meet the requirements of the job.
One of our clients – The Umpqua Basin Water Association from Oregon – started using our vehicles as their dedicated meter reading operators mode of transportation. They said that the increased maneuverability and small size of our vehicles saved them thousands of dollars in operation costs each year.
Q: What are some of the key industries that benefit the most from using electric utility vehicles?
A: The GO-4 still dominates the parking enforcement industry, however the MAX-EV is also getting into more industries including universities and campuses as a maintenance utility vehicle. We have also seen adoption in airports, municipalities, shipping ports, amusement parks, and some interest from the hobby farming market as well.
Canada Post also has been testing the MAX-EV as a last-mile delivery vehicle to be used within cities where routes could be designed with the electric vehicles range in mind and wouldn’t require a full gas powered vehicle to get the job done.
Product Innovation And Development
Q: What are some of the latest innovations that Westward has introduced in its electric utility vehicle lineup?
A: There are several answers for this question, firstly we are doing what we can to make these specialized vehicles more affordable and more applicable to different markets. One of the ways we have done this is by introducing the MAX-EV ORV—an off-road version of the MAX-EV that we were able to bring the starting price down on as a result of not needing the same features as its on-road counterpart. Making this a perfect vehicle for driving around job-sites, farms, or large parks that need a powerful vehicle to haul materials or tools.
As already stated, we are also always looking for better and longer-lasting batteries. Soon, we will have a 32kWh battery with a massive range of approximately 180-miles.
A key feature in all Westward Vehicles is that they are easy to repair and maintain, and our engineering team is always improving our vehicle designs to make them more durable and simpler to upgrade as new batteries like this become available.
Q: Can you walk us through the design and manufacturing process of a Westward electric utility vehicle?
A: This could be a long answer, really—but I’ll give a very high level recap. We weld our own chassis and sub-components like sub-frames, and then they are zinc-primed, heat-baked, and powder-coated. Then we begin the assembly of the product, starting with the powertrain, brakes, suspension, etc. and then begin the exterior cladding of the vehicle. Last is accessories installation, inspection, road test, inspection, detail, and shipping.
Q: How does Westward Industries ensure the durability and reliability of its vehicles, especially in extreme weather conditions?
A: We road-test every unit in Winnipeg, a city of extreme climates, with lows down to -40(f) and highs that can reach up to +100(f). Metal components are again coated per the above. Battery performance and heating are tested in the winter months, as well as in hot summer conditions.
Q: What kind of customization options are available for customers who need specific features in their utility vehicles?
A: We have a long list of options but the key options for all electric vehicles include the option to get a larger battery for increased range. We also allow for models that have open cabs (no doors / windows) for the easiest access to and from the vehicle which is useful for parking enforcement or refuse hauling with regular pickup stops – while also reducing the overall cost of the vehicle. We also offer wide turf tires and fender kits along with 4 wheel drive options (on select models). You can see all of the features we offer on our site under accessories.
Q: How do Westward’s electric vehicles compare in terms of performance and maintenance costs compared to traditional gas-powered options?
A: Overall, and for most operators, they are simply much quieter and easier to maintain. That means less long-term maintenance with similar or better performance. Gas and diesel still have their place; they shine in constant cold weather (they produce heat), in remote areas with no infrastructure, and work with high payload or towing needs, which is why we still sell gas powered GO-4 models – including the GO-4 XTR Refuse Hauler which is only available as a gas powered vehicle.
A vast majority of our customers need vehicles for shorter commutes, where EVs are a more practical alternative.
Q: What kind of battery technology do your vehicles use, and how does it impact range and performance?
A: Lithium-Ion NMC. This style has high energy density and great performance, with an onboard battery management system that continuously works to keep the battery healthy. We have multiple ranges of batteries that vary from as low as 8kWh 42 Volt battery packs all the way up to 24kWh 72 Volt packs and soon all the way to 32kWh packs.
Q: Can you discuss the long-term cost savings businesses can expect when switching to electric utility vehicles?
A: The long-term cost-savings from switching to EVs can be enormous and will vary depending on the application. If a parking authority was doing parking citations on foot, switching to a parking specific vehicle would increase operators efficiency up to 100%. Or if businesses are using gas powered fleet vehicles, they can look at our fuel calculator to find out how much they would save by switching to electric.
Real-World Applications And Success Stories
Q: Can you share a case study or success story where a business or city has significantly benefited from using Westward vehicles?
A: We have many different testimonials online, for the GO-4 Interceptor and the MAX-EV. Some notable mentions include parking enforcement fleets for the City of San Francisco, the City of Santa Monica, and the City of Aspen—check them out here.
Q: What feedback do you typically receive from customers who have transitioned to electric utility vehicles?
A: We have recently published a new testimonial video from a local client here in Winnipeg who recently got one of the new MAX-EV ORVs.
Overall, they are very impressed with the power and speed of the vehicles, while still being incredibly quiet and easy to operate. Many of our GO-4 customers are also amazed at the efficiency they get using a parking specific vehicle that was built for their unique vehicle needs.
Q: What are some of the most unique or unexpected ways customers have used Westward’s vehicles?
A: There is a large used market of aficionados that do all sorts of after-market changes and body upgrades to our vehicles. We have seen 3D models of the GO-4 added to popular video games, and as mentioned earlier, the GO-4 Interceptor has over 70 credits in various movies and TV shows. There is even a fan club GO-4 owners out there.
