Class Year

2025

Document Type

Student Research Paper

Date of Creation

Fall 2024

Department 1

Environmental Studies

Abstract

Army operations rely on fuel-intensive vehicles and aircraft, which contribute substantially to global emissions and the looming threat of global warming. This study evaluates the potential of transitioning five key U.S. Army vehicles, the M1301 ISV, HMMWV M1165, JLTV M1280, LMTV M1078, and M3A3 Bradley, from traditional diesel and JP8 powertrains to electric vehicle (EV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) technologies. Vehicle specifications including engine power, fuel efficiency, weight, and payload were gathered for each vehicle and compared. Efficiency was estimated for EV and FCV powertrains using linear regressions with data from the AFLEET Online tool, which provided national averages for various vehicle types. There was an average increase of 298.31% in efficiency for EVs and 194.47% for FCVs compared to diesel. CO₂ emissions were then calculated using the efficiency data, revealing a 56.53% reduction in CO₂ for EVs and 51.85% for FCVs compared to diesel. Once these results had been gathered, we conducted an interview with five officers at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, who had positive attitudes to a switch to more sustainable energy, while also highlighting logistical challenges and concerns regarding the feasibility of alternative powertrains. Although the Army values technological advancement, reliability and mission success remain the top priorities, which may hinder immediate adoption. This study concludes that while EV and FCV technologies could increase efficiency and reduce emissions, further developments in infrastructure and vehicle reliability are necessary. Moreover, the strategic benefits of alternative energy, such as reduced logistics needs and operational flexibility, may offer significant advantages in the future, especially in reducing risks to soldiers during missions. However, the transition to these technologies will require both military and civilian sectors to collaborate and invest in further research and development.

Comments

Written for ES 400: Senior Seminar

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Download

Share

COinS