GM Defense, the military product division for General Motors, is set to ramp up production the new GM Defense ISV, or Infantry Squad Vehicle, which is powered by the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel baby Duramax engine. However, in addition to producing the diesel-powered GM Defense ISV, the subsidiary also recently developed a new all-electric ISV concept, and now, we’re putting both models side-by-side for a comparison.
GM Defense All Electric Concept Vehicle pictured on left, standard GM Defense ISV pictured on right.
Known simply as the All Electric Concept Vehicle, the all-electric GM Defense ISV is closely related to the diesel-powered production variant. Like the “standard” GM Defense ISV, the all-electric concept is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 pickup, and is designed for the rapid deployment of infantry and their equipment onto the battlefield. Critically, the ISV leverages a swath of commercial-off-the-shelf components, such as Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers. In fact, according to GM Defense chief engineer Mark Dickens, the “standard” is more or less identical to the Chevy Colorado ZR2 from the waist down.
GM Defense All Electric Concept Vehicle pictured on left, standard GM Defense ISV pictured on right.
The all-electric GM Defense ISV takes the platform in a new direction, replacing the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel engine with the same all-electric powertrain as the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV. The standalone powertrain made its debut as the E-Crate during SEMA 2019, and produces 200 horsepower, with motivation routed to the rear wheels. Alternatively, the drivetrain offers the option to switch into 4WD at any time.
GM Defense All Electric Concept Vehicle pictured on left, standard GM Defense ISV pictured on right.
The battery pack for the all-electric powertrain is mounted under the bed floor, which is made from the same material as the GMC CarbonPro box found on the GMC Sierra pickup truck. Meanwhile, the electric motor is located up front under the hood. Range-per-charge depends on the driving style, with estimates laying between 70 miles and 150 miles.
GM Defense All Electric Concept Vehicle
Beyond the new power source, the all-electric GM Defense ISV differs from the “standard” GM Defense ISV in one other key area. Specifically, the all-electric concept is longer, with a bed that’s extended roughly five inches compared to the standard model.
The rest of the concept is identical to the “standard” ISV, including the wheelbase, and seating area.
GM Defense All Electric Concept Vehicle pictured back, standard GM Defense ISV pictured front.
Whether or not the GM Defense ISV Electric Concept will make it to full production status remains to be seen. For now, though, the concept demonstrates just how flexible all-electric power can be, and what uses it may offer the military.
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Comments
An electric combat military vehicle?
Are you kidding?
We’re only going to fight wars if the in-country
plug in stations are strategically located?
Or we can produce a military generator-equipped
service vehicles to accompany each other.
As opposed to all the readily available gas stations in war zones?
Maybe the military knows what it needs better than you?
It’s a lot easier to transport fuel than it is hydro power, plus the fact you don’t have time to wait an hour or more to charge the vehicle every 300-400 miles. Then multiply that by 100 or so vehicles. At least if a battle decides to break out you can fuel a up a truck faster than you can charge a fleet of trucks with batteries. Also, if you run a bunch of electrical accessories in the vehicle or tow a lot your mileage can drop by 40% or more, and that’s not to mention the effect cold weather has on battery charge life. Until the driving range and battery usage improve by a lot, IMHO, I don’t see an electric military vehicle being very feasible, at least for now and into the near future.
The weight of 9 fully equipped troops is pretty substantial by itself.
Two, maybe three points. One; did DOD ask for this, either as a feasibility study or option? Two; is the pack removable for quicker turnaround? (Maybe hybrid would make more sense?) Three; has anyone put a round through this battery to see if it burns like a shorted-out e-cig? (Remember how this looked on video?) The military has always pursued ideas that turn out to be dead ends. After all, it’s not their money, lol. I also question the how advisable it is to put so many expensive assets (service members) in such a light, unarmored, open vehicle and send them into a hostile environment where they WILL get shot at and may run into emplaced explosives. Does anyone remember HUMVEE’s and scrambling for MRAP’s?
What about weight?
I wonder if the fact that GM Defence is ramping up production and using the LWN will have an effect on the availability of that engine being offered in the Colorado/Canyon for the 2022 model year? Since it’s the last year of this vehicle before the 2023 MY arrives with only one engine option, it kind of makes me wonder if they will even offer the LWN in 2022. I remember back in the 80’s when the U.S. military bought a ton of K5 Blazers with the 6.2 Diesel option and it was almost impossible for the public to order one with that same engine?
Is GM in the works using a ICE back up to help power up batteries like the Chevy Volt was like. My wife had a Volt and she liked it and was hopping GM would make a SUV the same way.
It would make significantly better sense for the vehicle to retain the engine and be a plug-in Hybrid with the capability to operate all electric, all engine or a combination of both that functions for economy or power. Having a large 40kw/hr+ battery, would be excellent for the military because all their electronics could be operated and charged without needlessly idling the engine for days at a time wasting fuel. A large solar panel could be installed in that elaborate roll cage to function as a roof and gather power. Ideally the combination of 200hp and 400tq from the motor and 375hp and 450-500tq from the diesel would make the vehicle extremely quick. Regen braking, electric accessories, torque vectoring, STEALTH and various advantages of a high power plug in hybrid would be wonderful. Wish we had one them instead of the unarmored 6.5L non-turbo 4L80e ’92 HMMWV truck we used in my COMMO section back in the day.