When one thinks of Banks Power, diesel engines and high-powered trucks is typically what comes to mind. However, Founder Gale Banks recently revealed that the U.S. Army asked him if his team was able to develop a hybrid-powered Humvee for military use. Not being one to disappoint, Banks stated that he could do it, and has now unveiled his High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) Diesel Hybrid prototype.
As the first successful Hybrid Humvee, Banks Power has upgraded this military icon with improved acceleration and range, along with enhanced and extended capabilities.
The main objective of this prototype was to integrate hybrid technologies and the associated benefits into an already-capable vehicle like the Humvee, and thus demonstrate the feasibility of modern vehicle electrification technologies. To this end, Banks Power is attempting to future-proof the antiquated platform by providing support for future weapons systems, allowing for export power capable of running mobile tactical operation centers, and reducing the U.S. Army’s reliance on fossil fuels. Through its propulsion unit, vehicle control unit, and high-speed transmission, this hybrid unit exceeds the U.S. Army’s onboard and export power goals.
After development was finished, Banks Power tested the Hybrid Humvee on a nearby speedway and found that performance was improved in nearly every facet – including acceleration, range, and braking – in both hybrid and Full Electric Vehicle modes of operation. Moving forward, the U.S. Army itself will further test the Hybrid Humvee’s capabilities.
It’s worth noting that Banks Power was awarded with the U.S. Army contract over several well-known traditional defense contractors.
Of course, the engineering firm has yet to go into further detail on the inner workings of the technology found in its Hybrid Humvee, so be sure to stay tuned for more information on this advanced military machine.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Hummer news, GM-related hybrid news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This is as dumb as the electric tank. The hybrid benefit of regenerative braking is moot off road and on long campaigns cross country. It’s also an explosion waiting to happen. Part of the reason the hvees use the GM 6.5 diesel instead of a small block V8 is diesel doesn’t catch fire easy. A better option would be the 3.0 Dmax with a larger muffler. The 3.0 is already wisper quiet when standing outside a truck it’s in. The Allison transmission also has a PTO for a generator or anything in general you need powered.
Steve, you never got the memo. The Army’s greatest battle is not winning wars but defeating climate change catastrophe.
Uh, it’s not just the military’s greatest battle. It’s pretty much everyone’s greatest battle.
Why? What good is an EV to the military? Seems like an unnecessary increase in cost for little benefit.
It’s not an EV.
EV’s are a scam, we can all be driving EV’s while China keeps opening coal plants. Nobody wants to talk about that they just want us to buy expensive EV’s that don’t fill the needs of the everyday ordinary person.
Someone figured out how to improve a proven workhorse, while retaining a diesel engine. I say it’s a job well done! It accelerates better, with an engine half the size of the 6.5, and gets a better fuel consumption curve.