GM Defense aims to convince the US Army to electrify its fleet, with an assist from GM's new Ultium electric vehicle battery platform. Image courtesy of GM
Since then, AM General has been working to launch the Humvee into the electric vehicle field. The company’s newconcept is a diesel-electric hybrid aimed at “enhanced fuel economy, extended range capability, increased acceleration, operational stealth, and exportable power for a wide range of missions,” AM General explains.AM General also states that it used commercial off-the-shelf technology to develop the hybrid electric system, to ensure compatibility with levels 1-3 charging stations.
The Pulsed Power lab will “evaluate the technology to understand current capabilities of commercial automotive batteries under dynamic discharge and charge scenarios,” GM explains. The domestic manufacturing angle is a key attraction for the Defense Department, which explains why GM is involved in not one but two DOD electric vehicle battery programs. The other one, also under the wing of the Defense Innovation Unit, is called JABS, for Jumpstart for Advanced Battery Standardization.