Hybrid Humvees?

[Queasy]

Link

For a transport vehicle to be all it can be, the Army says it needs to run far on a tank of gas and provide portable power. To meet this goal, the military is developing a hybrid Humvee alternative that could boost the market for combination combustion-electric vehicles.

During last week's Society of Automotive Engineers' 2005 World Congress, the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center demonstrated a hybrid vehicle chassis that can be fitted with multiple bodies to replace Humvees, Jeeps, armored vehicles and pickup trucks.

Cutting fuel costs and reducing maintenance were the driving forces behind the decision to create hybrid vehicles, according to Hal Almand, the Army's light tactical forms team leader.

The vehicle is powered by a small, three-cylinder diesel engine and two hybrid motors. It would cost about $20,000 to manufacture and could replace a $65,000 Humvee, Almand said. The vehicles are expected to get about 50 miles per gallon, compared to the Humvee's current 11 mpg. "The more money we can save the better," Almand said.

Like the Toyota Prius, the prototype vehicle minimizes fuel use by running exclusively on the electric motors at low speeds or when idling. The Army designed the vehicle for easy repair by providing unobstructed access to the engine, electric motor and drive train. The batteries are located in the center of the chassis beneath the vehicle for easy access.

The vehicles would likely be used in non-tactical situations to transport soldiers within an Army base where the Humvee is overkill, according to Almand. The prototype vehicle was made from "off-the-shelf components" in less than 90 days to prove that the technologies are for real, he said.

Almand said the Army would soon test the vehicles for field readiness at training facilities. If the demonstration is successful, Army officials would determine how many vehicles would be built and how they would be deployed. Almand said researchers are also investigating a remote-controlled, driverless version that could move supplies in dangerous areas.

Vehicles produced by the military have become adapted to become popular consumer models in the past, and the new hybrid platform could also make that transition, according to Dan Kahn, road test editor at automotive website Edmunds.com. Kahn said diesel hybrid vehicles are fuel-efficient "when used for short hops, like on a military base. It would be a perfect application and would save a lot of fuel."

The Army produced the easy-to-repair Jeep and Humvees that became successful commercial vehicles, Kahn said. An easily maintained hybrid that, unlike the Toyota Prius, would not require specially trained mechanics might further interest in hybrids, according to Kahn. "The military's involvement in hybrid technology could make it more convenient and easier to use," Kahn said.

The vehicle was built for the Army by Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, a systems integrator that has built more than 400,000 specialty vehicles, according to Alan Niedzwiecki, the company's president and chief executive officer.

Quantum could manufacture enough vehicles to meet any Army orders, and would consider licensing the platform to other automakers for commercial applications, Niedzwiecki said. The platform could be used with commercial auto bodies and sold as fuel-efficient vehicles for driving around ranches or neighborhoods where speeds above its 35 mph maximum are not required.

The vehicles are less expensive than other hybrids because of the smaller diesel engine that can fit in an 11-inch-by-14-inch package, Niedzwiecki said. Quantum designed the vehicle so that the diesel engine could be easily removed from under the hood and used as a mobile 5-kilowatt electric generator, according to Niedzwiecki.

According to Edmunds.com's Kahn, the Chevy Silverado and Ford Escape hybrids, which also can produce auxiliary power, have proven that car engines work as sources of electricity.

Kahn said potential customers would include former soldiers who like to buy vehicles that they used while in the service. Hummer and Jeep owners love their vehicles because of their simple design and rugged looks, Kahn said, and an Army-produced diesel hybrid could follow in those vehicles' tracks and became a status symbol.

 

[StevenYoo]

would it have the same power as a regular one?

 

[Zim Hosein]

It would cost about $20,000 to manufacture and could replace a $65,000 Humvee

This will piss off a lot of people!

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

Probably not initially. According to the article, they are looking at using them for non-frontline work around bases and whatnot. The good thing is, military tech-advances like this eventually make their way into the market.

 

[huesmann]

0-60 in 30 seconds?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

During last week's Society of Automotive Engineers' 2005 World Congress, the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center demonstrated a hybrid vehicle chassis that can be fitted with multiple bodies to replace Humvees, Jeeps, armored vehicles and pickup trucks.

I'm guessing it's a completely different vehicle

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

Probably not initially. According to the article, they are looking at using them for non-frontline work around bases and whatnot. The good thing is, military tech-advances like this eventually make their way into the market.

I can see this being a huge logistics nightmare. The Army already has 4? different models of Humvees plus all their accessories.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

Probably not initially. According to the article, they are looking at using them for non-frontline work around bases and whatnot. The good thing is, military tech-advances like this eventually make their way into the market.

I can see this being a huge logistics nightmare. The Army already has 4? different models of Humvees plus all their accessories.

Weigh the benefits of an 11mpg $65,000 vehicle versus that of a 50mpg $20,000 vehicle.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Why does the Army have to use SUVs? Why can't they use cars?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

Probably not initially. According to the article, they are looking at using them for non-frontline work around bases and whatnot. The good thing is, military tech-advances like this eventually make their way into the market.

I can see this being a huge logistics nightmare. The Army already has 4? different models of Humvees plus all their accessories.

Weigh the benefits of an 11mpg $65,000 vehicle versus that of a 50mpg $20,000 vehicle.

So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

 

[DougK62]

No way will this ever replace the Humvee.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

If they use these vehicles solely on US soil they're saving tons of money. I'd guess they'd be used on European and other bases. I doubt they'd be deployed at all into hotspots like Iraq or Afghanistan.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

If they use these vehicles solely on US soil they're saving tons of money. I'd guess they'd be used on European and other bases. I doubt they'd be deployed at all into hotspots like Iraq or Afghanistan.

So what would the use be? They can't get to a highway speed, which means none of the reserve units will use them. They probably won't be able to haul as much of a load, which will limit their on-base capabilities. Where would they fit in? They would have to fill very specific, repedative roles.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

If they use these vehicles solely on US soil they're saving tons of money. I'd guess they'd be used on European and other bases. I doubt they'd be deployed at all into hotspots like Iraq or Afghanistan.

So what would the use be? They can't get to a highway speed, which means none of the reserve units will use them. They probably won't be able to haul as much of a load, which will limit their on-base capabilities. Where would they fit in? They would have to fill very specific, repedative roles.

And they couldn't be used in emergency situations - natural disasters and stuff - which is what most of the equipment in the US is for. They're basically useless. Like having a golf cart - only really good for tooling around the yard and visiting the neighbors.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

If they use these vehicles solely on US soil they're saving tons of money. I'd guess they'd be used on European and other bases. I doubt they'd be deployed at all into hotspots like Iraq or Afghanistan.

So what would the use be? They can't get to a highway speed, which means none of the reserve units will use them. They probably won't be able to haul as much of a load, which will limit their on-base capabilities. Where would they fit in? They would have to fill very specific, repedative roles.

And they couldn't be used in emergency situations - natural disasters and stuff - which is what most of the equipment in the US is for. They're basically useless. Like having a golf cart - only really good for tooling around the yard and visiting the neighbors.

I guess it is up for the army to determine.

Almand said the Army would soon test the vehicles for field readiness at training facilities. If the demonstration is successful, Army officials would determine how many vehicles would be built and how they would be deployed. Almand said researchers are also investigating a remote-controlled, driverless version that could move supplies in dangerous areas.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So? What about having thousands of vehicles unable to ever go near the front? This is going to split the entire force in two. What happend when there are no combat Humvees on base and you need to go out on a patrol? Guess what, you're probably going out in one of the rear-only vehicles.

If they use these vehicles solely on US soil they're saving tons of money. I'd guess they'd be used on European and other bases. I doubt they'd be deployed at all into hotspots like Iraq or Afghanistan.

So what would the use be? They can't get to a highway speed, which means none of the reserve units will use them. They probably won't be able to haul as much of a load, which will limit their on-base capabilities. Where would they fit in? They would have to fill very specific, repedative roles.

And they couldn't be used in emergency situations - natural disasters and stuff - which is what most of the equipment in the US is for. They're basically useless. Like having a golf cart - only really good for tooling around the yard and visiting the neighbors.

Exactly. I just can't see a significant market for them.

 

[mercanucaribe]

I have a better idea for the Army... Use regular light trucks powered by diesel, maybe hybridized. There you go, 40 mpg, 100mph, and more usefulness than the golf cart.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
I have a better idea for the Army... Use regular light trucks powered by diesel, maybe hybridized. There you go, 40 mpg, 100mph, and more usefulness than the golf cart.

That would help a little bit in some situations, but there'd still be a huge need for Humvees.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
would it have the same power as a regular one?

During last week's Society of Automotive Engineers' 2005 World Congress, the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center demonstrated a hybrid vehicle chassis that can be fitted with multiple bodies to replace Humvees, Jeeps, armored vehicles and pickup trucks.

I'm guessing it's a completely different vehicle

http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,67271,00.html#

i think you're correct.

 

[shilala]

Years ago I read about the Moody Turbo Diesel Technology that was turning out 100 mpg on vegetable oil, etc.
That was in the early to late 70's.
I read the article in a skin magazine, I think.
It was an interview with the inventor. It was a coll article, but the interviwee ranted on about the government's conspiracy against him. They brought the IRS down on him, burned down his garage, etc., etc.
I googled it but couldn't find a reference at all.
Hmmm. Maybe not a conspicracy theory after all ?

 

[artikk]

Originally posted by: DougK62
No way will this ever replace the Humvee.

First of all it's cheaper by 35,000 and it's mileage is 50 mpg versus 11 mpg. I realise the car wouldn't produce as much power as a regular Humvee but these two benefits alone outweigh the low HP/power/torque of the hybrid Humvee.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: shilala
Years ago I read about the Moody Turbo Diesel Technology that was turning out 100 mpg on vegetable oil, etc.
That was in the early to late 70's.
I read the article in a skin magazine, I think.
It was an interview with the inventor. It was a coll article, but the interviwee ranted on about the government's conspiracy against him. They brought the IRS down on him, burned down his garage, etc., etc.
I googled it but couldn't find a reference at all.
Hmmm. Maybe not a conspicracy theory after all ?

You make God regret mankind when you say things like this.

Oh and, obviously, a 20k humvee getting 50 MPG is such a load of horse sh*t that it doesn't really warrant any real attention paid to it.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: shilala
Years ago I read about the Moody Turbo Diesel Technology that was turning out 100 mpg on vegetable oil, etc.
That was in the early to late 70's.
I read the article in a skin magazine, I think.
It was an interview with the inventor. It was a coll article, but the interviwee ranted on about the government's conspiracy against him. They brought the IRS down on him, burned down his garage, etc., etc.
I googled it but couldn't find a reference at all.
Hmmm. Maybe not a conspicracy theory after all ?

You make God regret mankind when you say things like this.

Oh and, obviously, a 20k humvee getting 50 MPG is such a load of horse sh*t that it doesn't really warrant any real attention paid to it.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: russianpower

Originally posted by: DougK62
No way will this ever replace the Humvee.

First of all it's cheaper by 35,000 and it's mileage is 50 mpg versus 11 mpg. I realise the car wouldn't produce as much power as a regular Humvee but these two benefits alone outweigh the low HP/power/torque of the hybrid Humvee.

That looks nice and pretty on paper, but the problem is that there's just no way that it can match the utility of a Humvee. I don't like the idea of giving up utility and ruggedness in a military vehicle to save money and gas.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: russianpower

Originally posted by: DougK62
No way will this ever replace the Humvee.

First of all it's cheaper by 35,000 and it's mileage is 50 mpg versus 11 mpg. I realise the car wouldn't produce as much power as a regular Humvee but these two benefits alone outweigh the low HP/power/torque of the hybrid Humvee.

That looks nice and pretty on paper, but the problem is that there's just no way that it can match the utility of a Humvee. I don't like the idea of giving up utility and ruggedness in a military vehicle to save money and gas.

Why? All this money they're saving they can use to buy everybody one of those fabled $100 laptops