Electric snowmobiles face slow sales amid optimism from retailers in Finland

Electric snowmobiles have recently begun to hit the market, but their sales in Finland remain limited, with only a few units sold at individual retailers. Despite this slow start, there is an optimistic outlook within the industry regarding the future demand for electric models. Retailer Ilkka Korteniemi from Rovaniemi points out potential applications in ski resorts and tourism services, as well as among recreational users. He notes a segment of consumers who regularly use their snowmobiles, often accumulating 300 to 400 kilometers annually, would find electric options very suitable.

While some dealers share this optimism, not everyone in the industry is convinced. Tapio Kiiskinen, manager of a competing shop in Rovaniemi, reports virtually no interest in electric snowmobiles at his location and emphasizes that the primary market remains within the tourism sector. He suggests there might be a niche for utility-driven models for short distances but highlights significant challenges, such as limited availability, technical constraints in terms of range, traditional preferences, biases, and higher prices for electric models.

José Boisjoli, CEO of BRP, a long-established snowmobile manufacturer, acknowledges that while electrification is a growing trend in the automotive sector, it is also expanding to various vehicle types. However, he asserts that combustion-engine models will continue to be developed and that it could take decades before electric alternatives replace traditional snowmobiles entirely. He estimates that it may take 20 to 40 years for electric motors to fully supplant internal combustion engines across BRP’s product line.