U.S. Army and EnerDel team up for electric-hybrid Humvee
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Nov 6th 2009 3:46PM
posted Nov 6th 2009 3:46PM
EnerDel, who we last saw soaking up some of that Joe Biden stimulus money, is teaming up with the U.S. Army to develop a battery solution for a hybrid Humvee. Of course, your High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is by its nature very large and very heavy -- great for dropping out of airplanes, perhaps, but not so great a candidate for electric power. Two of the company's battery chemistries will tested in the program, including lithium-manganese spinel (for extending electric vehicle range and electronic systems runtime) and lithium-titanate system (for the hard acceleration and braking required). In addition to "extreme performance simulations" that re-create battlefield conditions, a hybrid vehicle can also sport a "stealth" mode, which kills the diesel generator altogether, allowing the vehicle to run silently with a low thermal signature. And if that weren't enough, the vehicle is also being designed to perform as a highly portable, temporary power plant for field hospitals or command posts. The program is expected to last eighteen months. PR after the break.
EnerDel Wins U.S. Army Contract to Develop Batteries for New 'Hybrid Humvee'
Program Will Test EnerDel's High-Performance Solutions Under the Most Extreme Conditions
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Automotive lithium-ion battery maker EnerDel, Inc. announced today that it will be working with the United States Army to develop a next-generation battery system for the hybrid version of the iconic High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee), known as the XM1124 Humvee. The company, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEV), has received a $1.29 million contract to design and build high-performance lithium-ion battery systems for two different applications, drawing on its expertise in multiple-chemistry solutions and ability to provide a complete architecture in cell chemistry, electronics and battery systems design.
"This is an opportunity to showcase the true capabilities of the EnerDel technology in conditions that demand the highest levels of safety, performance and reliability," said Rick Stanley, EnerDel President. "In keeping with a long tradition, we also expect that innovations perfected here will have important benefits for the commercial markets."
EnerDel will spend the next 18 months collaborating with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to produce four custom-built power systems that will be subjected to extreme performance simulations.
TARDEC will be testing two of EnerDel's battery chemistries. In addition to its lithium-manganese spinel chemistry, best suited for extending electric vehicle range or electronic systems runtime, the program will also be testing EnerDel's lithium-titanate system, an advanced chemistry developed in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, designed for extreme high-power hybrids that require hard acceleration and braking.
While the XM1124 Humvee is already significantly more efficient than the conventional M1113 Humvee, boasting a higher top speed, faster acceleration, longer range and improved fuel economy, expectations are that the new, upgraded battery packs will greatly increase the peak power capability of the current demonstration vehicles.
In addition, the robust battery technology will also include an all-electric "silent watch" capability which will power the electronics or traction motor without running the truck's diesel generator, significantly reducing both the audible and thermal signatures of the vehicle, making it easier to escape detection by hostile parties. An EnerDel-equipped XM1124 Humvee could also function as a portable power plant to power a mobile command post or field hospital.
TARDEC, part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), is headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. It is the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology. TARDEC develops and integrates technology solutions to improve the effectiveness of the current force and realize the superior capability of the future force. Its technical staff leads research in ground vehicle survivability, mobility, intelligent systems and maneuver support and sustainment.
The TARDEC award further spurs Ener1's business momentum. The company has announced active relationships with Think Global, Fisker and Volvo and has a research program with Nissan and Argonne National Laboratory. Ener1 was recently selected to be awarded a $118.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Federal Stimulus program and is awaiting approval of additional long-term, low-interest loan funds under the Department's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. EnerDel's two factories in Indianapolis are the first, and so far only, commercial-scale, automotive-grade lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in the United States.
About Ener1, Inc.
Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. The publicly traded company (Nasdaq: HEV) is led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts at its EnerDel subsidiary located in Indiana. In addition to the automobile market, applications for Ener1 lithium-ion battery technology include the military, grid storage and other growing markets. Ener1 also develops commercial fuel cell products through its EnerFuel subsidiary and nanotechnology-based materials and manufacturing processes for batteries and other applications through its NanoEner subsidiary.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "scheduled," "estimates" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Coifman
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Phone: 212 551 4815
Email: jcoifman@waggeneredstrom.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Rachel Carroll
ENER1, Inc.
Phone: 212 920 3500
Email: rcarroll@ener1.com
SOURCE Ener1, Inc.
MEDIA RELATIONS, Jon Coifman, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-212-551-4815, jcoifman@waggeneredstrom.com; or INVESTOR RELATIONS, Rachel Carroll, ENER1, Inc., +1-212 920 3500, rcarroll@ener1.com
Program Will Test EnerDel's High-Performance Solutions Under the Most Extreme Conditions
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Automotive lithium-ion battery maker EnerDel, Inc. announced today that it will be working with the United States Army to develop a next-generation battery system for the hybrid version of the iconic High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee), known as the XM1124 Humvee. The company, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEV), has received a $1.29 million contract to design and build high-performance lithium-ion battery systems for two different applications, drawing on its expertise in multiple-chemistry solutions and ability to provide a complete architecture in cell chemistry, electronics and battery systems design.
"This is an opportunity to showcase the true capabilities of the EnerDel technology in conditions that demand the highest levels of safety, performance and reliability," said Rick Stanley, EnerDel President. "In keeping with a long tradition, we also expect that innovations perfected here will have important benefits for the commercial markets."
EnerDel will spend the next 18 months collaborating with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to produce four custom-built power systems that will be subjected to extreme performance simulations.
TARDEC will be testing two of EnerDel's battery chemistries. In addition to its lithium-manganese spinel chemistry, best suited for extending electric vehicle range or electronic systems runtime, the program will also be testing EnerDel's lithium-titanate system, an advanced chemistry developed in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, designed for extreme high-power hybrids that require hard acceleration and braking.
While the XM1124 Humvee is already significantly more efficient than the conventional M1113 Humvee, boasting a higher top speed, faster acceleration, longer range and improved fuel economy, expectations are that the new, upgraded battery packs will greatly increase the peak power capability of the current demonstration vehicles.
In addition, the robust battery technology will also include an all-electric "silent watch" capability which will power the electronics or traction motor without running the truck's diesel generator, significantly reducing both the audible and thermal signatures of the vehicle, making it easier to escape detection by hostile parties. An EnerDel-equipped XM1124 Humvee could also function as a portable power plant to power a mobile command post or field hospital.
TARDEC, part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), is headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. It is the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology. TARDEC develops and integrates technology solutions to improve the effectiveness of the current force and realize the superior capability of the future force. Its technical staff leads research in ground vehicle survivability, mobility, intelligent systems and maneuver support and sustainment.
The TARDEC award further spurs Ener1's business momentum. The company has announced active relationships with Think Global, Fisker and Volvo and has a research program with Nissan and Argonne National Laboratory. Ener1 was recently selected to be awarded a $118.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Federal Stimulus program and is awaiting approval of additional long-term, low-interest loan funds under the Department's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. EnerDel's two factories in Indianapolis are the first, and so far only, commercial-scale, automotive-grade lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in the United States.
About Ener1, Inc.
Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. The publicly traded company (Nasdaq: HEV) is led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts at its EnerDel subsidiary located in Indiana. In addition to the automobile market, applications for Ener1 lithium-ion battery technology include the military, grid storage and other growing markets. Ener1 also develops commercial fuel cell products through its EnerFuel subsidiary and nanotechnology-based materials and manufacturing processes for batteries and other applications through its NanoEner subsidiary.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "scheduled," "estimates" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Coifman
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Phone: 212 551 4815
Email: jcoifman@waggeneredstrom.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Rachel Carroll
ENER1, Inc.
Phone: 212 920 3500
Email: rcarroll@ener1.com
SOURCE Ener1, Inc.
MEDIA RELATIONS, Jon Coifman, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-212-551-4815, jcoifman@waggeneredstrom.com; or INVESTOR RELATIONS, Rachel Carroll, ENER1, Inc., +1-212 920 3500, rcarroll@ener1.com
Haha, I would love to run a green hummer over a prius.
Just paint it green.
Green, as in ecologically green...
http://www.hlineconversion.com/index.php
@Anthony
No, you're not right, STFU
The Hummer would probably flip over and the Prius would be fine.
Seriously BigD? The Humvee has one of the lowest centers of gravity of any wheeled off-roading vehicle.
Seriously BigD.
Now lets just hope that the battery doesn't die JUST as you're trying to escape an overwhelming bunch nefarious and angry enemies.
...because then your diesel engine would kick in??
Yes, an environmental friendly WAR machine. lulz. :)
@kempcross
But that would hurt the environment, and we CAN'T have that!
Next, they should work on environmentally-friendly bullets.
Dave
Many ranges are beginning to disallow traditional lead bullets in favor of - yes - environmentally friendly ammo.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/etipwin_100907/
Yea since regular Humvees have unlimited fuel. oh wait....
Dr. Nefarious from Ratchet and Clank is in Iraq?
@collindow It's a Hybrid....
How "stealthy" could a 5,000 pound vehicle be, even with a low heat signature... really??
It won't be stealthy at all.... electricity produces heat too. About the only stealth will be the fact that it will be much quieter; it won't be silent either way though.
100% agree...definately the wrong vehicle for any type of stealth activities.....
On top of that if the stealth mode just kills the main engine the electric motors might not put out much heat, but that diesel generator has gotta cool down first.
So then your options are install a superfast cooling system that'll suck your battery dry in minutes, or sit there twiddling your thumbs until the engine cools down. So It's not actually useful unless you're doing a cold start to sneak right up on the enemy as far as the battery will let you. Awesome.
It's relative. Take any other vehicle that can match the capabilities of the HMMWV and then compare it to the electric hybrid HMMWV and see which wins as most stealthy.
Awesome, maybe it will get fuel economy in double-digit miles per gallon now.
"Billy, I just hit 11, do you remember where we stashed that champagne?"
Well it would, except it's got a shitload of armor plating, which means it needs more fuel, which means they need to make a bigger fuel tank which weighs more, which makes it gulp even more fuel. The commercially available H3 gets 15-20 mpg, but I doubt it would stop a bullet.
Considering the hybrid system is a diesel, and that it has a "stealth" mode, it is reasonable to assume that this is the application of Quantum Technology's "Q-Force" system?
VRROOM VROOM ! BEEP BEEP!
RATATATATATA! RATATATATATA!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOO BOOM!
Isnt Hummer owned by the Chinese now?
Hummer and Humvee are made by different companys, the Humvee is made by American Motors, and the Hummer is made by GM
AM General is still an american company in Indiana and they still make humvees for the DoD. However, Chinese companies (and companies around the world) currently make their own humvee knockoffs, and the Hummer Brand (which is not the same as a humvee), late of GM, will shortly be (or already is) owned by a chinese company. so sleep tight.
They've been using Chinese parts, so they might as well be made by the Chinese.
the front bumper doubles as a ladder.
Can someone say E.M.P.? Hey, it's not moving! Did someone forget to plug it in last night? Also would this thing be a good candidate for that wireless power mat thingamajig?
As electric dependent as most cars are now EMP would take out a normal hummer too.
lol I just watched that scene with the humvee in the latest episode of flash forward then I see this.
Never underestimate the power of lobbyists to breathe life into military projects which have been proven to be tactical failures ... ie: the humvee (not the same as the hummer). Yes, the humvee is in the process of being replaced by more efficient and appropriate vehicles.
The short term replacement efforts utilize commercial off-the-shelf vehicles as part of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program. Long term efforts include the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Future Tactical Truck Systems programs, which are currently focused on building requirements for the HMMWV replacement and technology research and evaluation. Various prototype vehicles such as the MillenWorks Light Utility Vehicle, International FTTS and the ULTRA AP have been constructed as part of these efforts.
"MillenWorks Light Utility Vehicle"
Like Rod Millen?
Very good. It's Rod Millen indeed: http://www.millenworks.com/html/company_history.htm
Why don't we just go for broke and install a nuclear battery in this thing? Then it might actually be efficient.
Just hit a landmine for instant mushroom cloud!
This humvee might be green. but it still doesnt cancel out the effect of chaos u caused when using it.
They been working on this stuff for years.
I wonder what happened to the Shadow RST-V
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/shadow/
I was going to ask the same thing. Actual survivability is better with 4 wheel direct motor drive, since it is much harder to take out 4 motors (yes, you can blow the whole thing up, but then who cares about drivability) versus a drive system based on a single engine with a linked transmission.
Also, for the folks scoffing at "green" with a HMMWV, the army worries a lot about hauling fuel and burning it. There isn't a local mobil station down the block in the middle of the desert or jungle, so not having to haul as much fuel (which BTW we paid for) is expensive and dangerous (many of the IED plagued convoys are hauling fuel). Nobody is comparing this to a prius, but from a tactical point of view this makes sense.
Yes, because this is just what the United States Army needs. And environmentally-friendly HUMVEE. Perfect.
What an irony.....pursuing green ways to kill people! heights of going green!
>> great for dropping out of airplanes, perhaps, but not so great a candidate for electric power.
Disagreed. Electric motors produce full torque from 0 RPM. As such, they could be quite useful for a heavy vehicle which may have to pull a heavy load from a standstill or move quickly from a stop.
This is a good idea, but I'm concerned about the weight of the batteries. HMMWVs are already heavy enough, especially if you add armor (which they weren't designed for). Adding a bunch of batteries are going to add even mroe weight. In addition, electric cars really fail in extreme cold. The HMMWVs can do extreme cold, extreme heat, and everything in between. Electric cars are nowhere near to doing that yet.
Also, I always enjoy seeing automotive and military-related stories on Engadget. It's funny because maybe only 5-10% of the typical commenters know anything about cars, or any sort of topic outside WoW; yet they comment anyway as if they know what they are saying.
The best are seeing firearm-related videos on YouTube, and seeing those kids commenting on them with "knowledge" obviously gleaned from CoD4 and CS.
haha too funny
I think it is give and take. Yes, this will increase range, but will also increase maintenance costs and time. Also, when it gets hit by an IED, not only does your fuel tank rupture, you also have "lithium-manganese spinel" being sprayed around. I'm sure they will armor the batteries, but with added weight comes reduced mobility. It's going to be a hard give and take, but it should be interesting. My only hope and prayer is that they put a damn 12v outlet in it, so you can charge radios and other batteries!! PLEASE put that in!
@Paul34-- I agree with you 100%! Some of these comments on here are really quite humorous! Ohh yeah, when I drove a Hummer on Call of Duty, I NEVER had to fill up! They should make Hummers like that! By the way, I DO have just a "little" experience with HMMWVs (its a Hum-vee, not a hummer! You get hum-vees when you're on duty and hummers when you're not.)
does this not seem to defeat the purpose of a rugged, powerful vehicle?
Too late. The damage this machine has done to the world cannot be undone.
The damage this vehicle is done probably pales GREATLY in comparison to the Soviet T-series of tanks. Just sayin'
Yeah, like you'd really want to run out of juice, while being chased by Osama & Co. through Afghan valleys!
Being in afghanistan right now and a proud receipient of 4 HUMVEES (not that I ordered them), I would like to say that "THIS WILL NOT WORK AT ALL". The humvee by itself is a power hog. Add radios, comm shelters, tracking devices, and all other devices which I can not talk about here and you'll get a dead truck 50 feet from where you started driving it. I guess they plan on keeping a generator trailer with a running generator behind you at all times to keep this vehicle moving. LOL. I hope they deploy solar panels on the vehicle to keep it juiced up. I don't recall any electrical charging stations in IRAQ or Afghanistan. And if there where any, who the hell is going to stop and charge up.
Electric? You want electric? I'll give you electric:
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/sep/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=obgAYvLI2Zw
funny thing is... the only time the hummer is ever used for real,, is in the battle to control oil rights.
What about the Raser Tech EXISTING electric Humvee? I've ridden in it.
In the news: Smoke grenade disables 'green' humvee convoy!
The conversion would probably not add too much weight, since the armor would likely be lighter.
A generator would require a lot less maintenance than a transmission, no transmission fluid to change. Why am I pointing this out? The area that would house the generator will be able to be closed off with a V shape bottom, giving much more protection with less armor (that has to compensate the cavity the transmission housing makes).
Yes this will require a complete overhaul, but the HMMWV has been overhauled twice since the war.