XL Fleet to Prototype Military Vehicle Hybrid Conversion Kits Under Army Contract

Boston-based vehicle electrification solutions provider XL Fleet has secured a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Army‘s Program Manager Transportation Systems to prototype fuel-saving technology for military vehicles.

Under the contract, XL Fleet will continue developing a retrofit idle reduction technology for the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. The solution is a hybrid conversion kit that allows drivers to switch to battery power in certain situations, such as idling. In a civilian consumer setup, hybrid conversion kits can turn internal combustion engine-powered vehicles into plug-in hybrid electric or hydrogen fuel-cell electric cars. Switching to electric or hydrogen power whenever possible could positively impact fuel consumption and reduce harm to the environment.

The idle reduction technology will be delivered to the Department of Defense for installation on tens of thousands of military vehicles. Work on the program started on Oct. 1 and will run for 13 months, XL Fleet said.

According to the company, idling can reduce fuel range, ramp up fuel costs and increase acoustic signatures for military vehicles. XL Fleet said enhancing fuel efficiency and limiting gas consumption will help the military reduce the logistical and transportation requirements of its fuel supply chain and improve vehicle operations.

The Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support shared that the prototype program could pave the way for electrification and hybridization across its tactical vehicle fleet.