The US Army Takes Another Step Towards EVs

The US Army is testing new hybrid and electric tactical vehicles to replace its aging Humvees. Ford, GM, and off-road builder BC Customs are each building prototypes under a program called ISV-H (Infantry Squad Vehicle – Heavy), which asks for a lighter vehicle that can supply up to 60 kilowatts of power, enough to run drones, sensors, and communications gear while parked or moving. BC Customs is working with a company called Raglan, which builds electric and hybrid power systems for military use, and BC Customs is also developing its own vehicle, the SXV-EV1, in partnership with a firm called Hypercraft.

The SXV-EV1 is not a full electric vehicle. It pairs a diesel engine with an electric motor, so it can run on diesel for range and switch to a quiet, electric-only mode when needed. It can also charge its battery while driving and act as a mobile generator to power other equipment. BC Customs plans to offer the technology as a retrofit kit for vehicles already in its fleet, rather than requiring a whole new vehicle purchase.

This is part of a broader, slow shift toward electrified military vehicles, including a hybrid version of the M1 Abrams tank and battery kits that let vehicles power onboard electronics without idling their engines. None of this affects home energy programs or rebates. It is simply a sign that hybrid and electric drivetrains, and the battery and power-management technology behind them, are spreading into more corners of transportation, including heavy-duty vehicles built for rough use.