Maybe, Just Maybe, The US Army Wants EVs After All

Maybe, Just Maybe, The US Army Wants EVs After All May 27, 2026 5 seconds Tina Casey 0 Comments Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe

What's Happening

The US Army has been cautiously dipping a toe into the vehicle electrification field since the early 2000’s, with little to show for the effort. The momentum seemed to fizzle out entirely after federal energy policy took a sharp U-turn last year. However, the idea of pairing EVs with gas-powered range extenders may still have legs. EVs And Range Extenders Range extenders have become a familiar feature in the civilian EV field.

Why This Matters for EV Owners

• First pioneered in force in 2009 by General Motors with its short-lived Chevy Volt, the idea is to pair the advantages of electric drive with the security blanket of a gas tank
• The powertrain is electric, with the tank called into play to run a generator as needed (see lots more Volt background here)
• More recently, automakers have fallen back on EREV (extended-range electric vehicles) to attract EV-curious car buyers who need, or think they need, to visit a gas station every once in a while
• The Scout Motors branch of Volkswagen comes to mind

The Bigger Picture

The Scout venture launched in 2024 with pitch for 100% battery-powered vehicles , but last fall it reported that the majority of its reservations ask for the range extension option . Right around the same time, CleanTechnica editor Zachary Shahan took a look at pros and cons of the EREV trend . The list was rather thin on pros, except to note that a range extender could be helpful for drivers who log hundreds of miles a day. On the con side, range extenders add another layer of expense and complexity, potentially raising maintenance and repair expenses as well as up-front costs. EREVs For The US Army The US Army has its own set of priorities, having come to the range extender space through anti-idling kits.

EV Comparison: How Do These Models Stack Up?

Among these models, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range leads in efficiency at 14.4 kWh/100km, while the Mercedes EQS 450+ offers the longest range at 770 km WLTP.

Model	Battery	WLTP Range	Efficiency
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	75 kWh	602 km	14.4 kWh/100km
Tesla Model Y Long Range	75 kWh	533 km	16.9 kWh/100km
BMW iX xDrive40	71 kWh	425 km	19.5 kWh/100km
Mercedes EQS 450+	108 kWh	770 km	15.7 kWh/100km
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro	77 kWh	520 km	16.3 kWh/100km

Data sourced from EVRoutes' vehicle database covering 60+ EV models. Ranges are WLTP-rated and real-world results may vary by 10-20% based on driving conditions.

What This Means for Your Wallet

Based on current European charging rates, DC fast charging costs between €0.30-0.65 per kWh depending on the network and country. This translates to roughly 40-60% savings compared to equivalent petrol costs. A typical fast-charging session takes 20-45 min (10-80% DC fast) — enough time for a coffee break on a long trip.

Real-World Range Considerations

EVRoutes' route calculations account for real-world conditions. In winter, expect 15-30% range reduction due to battery chemistry and cabin heating. Pro tip: Pre-conditioning the battery before DC fast charging can improve charging speeds by up to 30% in cold weather.

What to Watch Next

The kits are basically battery packs that can power auxiliary systems , enabling the operator to shut down noisy diesel engines instead of hitting idle mode. Last May, Josh Luckenbaugh of National Defense Magazine reported that the Army has been testing anti-idling kits on medium-class tactical vehicles. With a fuel savings of 10-20%, the Army is also laying plans to introduce the kits among other vehicles as well. The Army is also prepping for the next step up the electrification ladder in the form of integrated power kits capable of delivering high voltage DC power.