Military Electric Vehicles: An Analysis of Deadly Capabilities
Headline: U.S. Military Embraces Electric and Hybrid Vehicles for Enhanced Operational Capabilities and Reduced Environmental Impact
The automotive industry is witnessing a significant shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, with leading manufacturers like General Motors and Stellantis investing tens of billions of dollars in this transition. This trend is not limited to the civilian sector, as the U.S. military is also exploring the benefits of electrifying its vehicle fleets.
Despite some critics viewing these efforts as politically motivated and overly focused on climate change, leaders in the military are clamoring for more electrification of tactical and nontactical vehicle fleets. The advantages of series hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) for tactical use are numerous.
Improved fuel efficiency and range extension are key benefits of HEVs. The series hybrid system allows a combustion engine to generate electricity to power the electric motor, reducing direct fuel use and enabling longer missions without frequent refueling. This is particularly crucial for the U.S. military, which is the largest institutional consumer of petroleum fuels on the planet, using as many as 4.2 billion gallons each year.
Reduced acoustic and thermal signature is another advantage of electric drive. This is critical for stealth and survivability in combat conditions. Enhanced maneuverability is also a benefit, as electric motors provide immediate torque and finer control, favourable for urban or complex terrain operations.
In addition, hybrid systems support the integration of advanced power electronics and energy storage to supply electrical loads for onboard electronics, sensors, and communication systems. Future tactical vehicles could even incorporate solar or other renewables to recharge batteries, enhancing operational sustainability.
These benefits align with military trends pushing hybrid and electric powertrains to improve operational capabilities while reducing environmental footprint and logistical burdens. The Army and Marine Corps, for example, have committed to fielding an all-electric light-duty non-tactical vehicle fleet by 2027 and 2035, respectively.
The hybrid JLTV model, developed by Oshkosh Defense, claims to improve fuel economy by over 20 percent and eliminates the need for towed generators. The Marine Corps has been making strides toward electrifying its nontactical wheeled vehicle fleet at some bases and investing in charging stations as a cost-saving measure.
Committing to major purchases of hybrid JLTVs is an immediate step the military can make toward improving battlefield lethality and reducing petroleum fuel dependence. The US President Joe Biden has outlined a target to have 50% of all new vehicles sold in the United States zero-emission vehicles by 2030. The US military needs to take advantage of this electrification trend to reduce its reliance on petroleum fuels and increase the lethality of the force.
While full electric vehicle adoption by the U.S. military for tactical roles remains limited and primarily experimental, series hybrid electric vehicles offer significant operational advantages including stealth, energy efficiency, and technological flexibility that are well-suited for evolving battlefield requirements. The shift towards electrification in the military is not just a response to climate change, but a strategic move to enhance operational capabilities and reduce logistical burdens.
Sources:
- U.S. Air Force Buys Two Tesla Cybertrucks for Missile Testing
- U.S. Army Plans to Make All Non-Tactical Vehicles Electric by 2035
- Electrifying the Military: The Benefits and Challenges
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