Few machines blur the line between military hardware and private indulgence quite like this one. A tracked vehicle capable of exceeding 60 mph, wrapped in a leather-trimmed cockpit, sits at the very edge of what personal mobility can become. For collectors who have grown tired of supercars and superyachts, the Ripsaw EV2 luxury tank represents an entirely different category of ownership. At our Mil-Spec Automotive vehicles collection, this fascination with tracked, armored, and extreme platforms is precisely what we curate for a global audience of enthusiasts.
Originally engineered for defense applications, this dual-tracked platform was later adapted for private buyers. According to New Atlas, the enclosed EV2 was announced as a "high-end luxury super tank," built largely to individual specifications. That combination of raw capability and bespoke refinement is what continues to define its appeal today.
What Exactly Is the Ripsaw EV2?
Picture a machine that looks born from a dystopian film set yet functions as a genuinely drivable vehicle. Built by Howe & Howe Technologies in Waterboro, Maine, the EV2 (short for "Extreme Vehicle 2") descends directly from a military platform tested by the United States Army. The civilian version keeps the same tracked architecture but adds a fully enclosed, climate-controlled cabin.
The vehicle traces its lineage to a family project the Howe brothers began at the start of the millennium. Interestingly, the "EV" designation does not signal an electric motor. As Maxim clarifies, the letters denote "extreme vehicle," not any battery-powered drivetrain. This distinction matters, because the heart of the machine is a large-displacement diesel engine rather than an electric one.
Power, Speed, and Engineering
Numbers tell much of this story. The EV2 is powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine producing around 600 horsepower and roughly 1,000 ft-lb of torque. Despite weighing in the region of 8,000 pounds, the machine channels that output through both tracks with surprising agility.
Top speed sits just above 60 mph, remarkable for a tracked platform of this mass. Suspension is equally serious: coilover setups paired with air shocks deliver roughly 12 to 13 inches of travel, allowing the vehicle to absorb terrain that would stop a conventional off-roader. Some higher-output builds have been documented with even greater figures. Autoblog notes the hand-built machine measures roughly 18 feet long and is not street legal, reinforcing its status as a dedicated off-road instrument.
For readers drawn to this level of tracked performance, the engineering conversation extends further. We explore how these platforms evolve toward even more radical territory in our feature on the Ripsaw EV3: extreme F1-level build, where the pursuit of speed and precision reaches new heights.
Craftsmanship: Why It Takes Six Months to Build
Consider the patience required to own one. Each EV2 is assembled by hand in a limited production run, with a single unit taking close to six months to complete. A small team moves with each vehicle through successive build stations, a deliberate process intended to guarantee consistency and quality at every stage.
This is not mass manufacturing. It is closer to coachbuilding, where the buyer's preferences shape the interior, the finish, and the performance package. Leather seats, an LCD screen linked to a rear camera, GPS navigation, air conditioning, and a sound system transform a military chassis into a genuinely comfortable cabin. The result feels less like a weapon and more like a bespoke grand tourer on tracks.
How Much Does a Luxury Super Tank Cost?
Price is the inevitable question. The base configuration starts at approximately $295,000, though the final figure climbs quickly with customization. Certain higher-specification builds have been reported closer to $400,000, and specialist retailers have listed configured examples above $300,000.
The variation is not a pricing inconsistency; it reflects the bespoke nature of each commission. The table below summarizes how the EV2 compares with other extreme mobility platforms available to collectors, including the curated options within our own catalog.
| Vehicle | Powertrain | Indicative Starting Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripsaw EV2 (tracked super tank) | 600 hp diesel | ~$295,000 | Hand-built, limited run |
| Our Mil-Spec Automotive vehicles | Varied, curated | On request | Early access via membership |
| Armored SUV alternatives | V8 petrol | From ~$300,000 | Small-series production |
For collectors who prefer wheels to tracks yet still want a fortified, road-legal presence, we invite you to examine the Rezvani Tank, an armored platform that pairs aggressive design with everyday usability.
From Screen to Street: Cultural Status
Part of the mystique is cinematic. The platform gained wide recognition through blockbuster appearances, cementing its reputation as a machine of spectacle. Its dramatic silhouette and tracked stance made it a natural fit for high-octane film sequences, which in turn amplified demand among private buyers who wanted a piece of that on-screen power.
That cultural footprint matters to collectors. A vehicle recognized worldwide carries a presence that few conventional supercars can match. It is this intersection of engineering, exclusivity, and pop-culture gravity that places the EV2 firmly within the world of collectible mobility.
Is a Personal Tank the Right Acquisition?
Practicality is not the point here, and that is worth acknowledging honestly. This is an off-road-only machine, unsuited to public roads and demanding significant space to operate and store. For most buyers, it functions as a statement piece and a recreational extreme, not daily transport.
Yet for the collector seeking the rare and the uncompromising, few objects deliver the same visceral impact. If a fully road-usable armored vehicle suits your requirements better, we would direct you toward the Rezvani Tank Military Edition, which balances fortified construction with genuine street legality.
Conclusion
The appeal of a machine like this is difficult to rationalize and easy to feel. A hand-built super tank powered by a 600 hp diesel engine, priced from roughly $295,000 and requiring six months of dedicated craftsmanship, sits in a category defined by scarcity rather than utility. Before committing, weigh the practicalities honestly: storage, off-road-only use, and the customization budget beyond the base price. For those who value curated access to the world's most extraordinary mobility, we bring these rare platforms and their alternatives together in one place, often before they reach the wider market. To begin your search, explore our Mil-Spec Automotive vehicles collection and discover what genuine exclusivity looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ripsaw EV2 street legal?
No, the EV2 is engineered strictly for off-road use and is not approved for public roads. It functions as a recreational and collectible machine rather than daily transport.
Does "EV" mean the tank is electric?
No. The "EV" stands for "extreme vehicle," not electric. The EV2 is powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine producing around 600 horsepower.
Where can collectors find machines like this?
Extreme and mil-spec platforms are rarely sold through conventional dealers. Through our Mil-Spec Automotive vehicles collection and private membership, we offer curated access, sometimes before vehicles are listed publicly.
