Might The Military Make EVs Mainstream?

America has the world’s largest military by far, spending more than the next 20 countries combined. When we’re not invading other countries, the military of developing world-changing technologies like GPS and the Internet, technologies that once seemed impossibly expensive for the average person to own. So one writer is asking; can the military make EVs mainstream?

The question was posed by Jack Baruth over at TTAC, pointing to the recent Zero MMX special-forces motorcycle as an example of a practical application of electric vehicles in the military. This quiet and reliable electric motorcycle has been designed for use by special forces, who covet stealth. Silence is actually a huge advantage in a military context, and electric vehicles could excel given their quiet nature.

Even outside of combat, electric vehicles powered by local solar arrays would alleviate the millions of gallons of fuel even a modestly-sized outpost requires on an annual basis. Having small EVs running parts and supplies around the base would be a huge boon to cutting back on fuel-intensive trucks most bases already use. Even the military recognizes that shortages of fossil fuels will drive future conflict, and seeking out alternatives is imperative.

The U.S. Marines have experimented with a handful of Smith Electric trucks on some bases, but if the military were to employ EVs en masse, it would be a huge boon to battery and automakers. It could also accelerate progress on battery and motor technology, as well as give regular soldiers more exposure to electric vehicles.

While we are probably decades away from fully-electric tanks rolling across the battlefield of the future, the U.S. military could have a huge impact on EV adoption going forward…if the generals so choose.

Source: The Truth About Cars