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Electric Military Vehicles

Of all the industries that pollute this world, the military must be one of the most polluting and environmentally damaging. Yet, since wars are still going on and countries need protection very few states have considered adopting military technique and using military equipment that does not damage the environment. Still, the U.S. army is beginning to invest in electric military vehicles. Tanks and combat vehicles are being studied and developed. They have yet to be used on the battlefield, but according to the latest reports from officials, the gain would be beyond any shadow of doubt.

With the price of the gas going up, it is obvious that the army would spend less money on fuel, thus being able to redirect those amounts towards more useful, more stringent or nobler causes. Electric vehicles can be all-electric or hybrids. While all electric vehicles replace the combustion engine with electric battery systems, the hybrids combine fuel combustion with batteries. It’s the all electric vehicles that are completely pollution free and the army laboratories are focusing on developing high performance all electric models.

The US Army representatives have said that hybrids and electric trucks are going to be the Future Combat Systems, the so called FCS. They will have a lower fuel consumption by no less than 75 percent, which will lead to significant military and national savings. A hybrid 24 gallon tank truck could be able to travel more than 370 miles without needing any refueling. A conventionally powered vehicle usually can travel 60 % less before needing refueling. It follows that savings will result not only from less fuel consumption but from better army logistical transportation. Moreover, in battle, these vehicles are likely to be very efficient: their engine is very quiet and they will be adapted so as to be able to export energy to any military equipment that needs recharging. Their thermal signature is also reduced which makes them harder to detect.

 

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by Liz Lipton		 Read State Farm Web Cast on Hybrid Vehicles for Emergency Responders
by Liz Lipton