Congress is funding the program to comply with an executive order requiring a 20 percent cut in U.S. foreign oil dependence, according to 1st Lt. From the outside the dark blue vehicle looks like a regular utility van and civil engineering crews are using it for maintenance around the base. Under the hood and on the dashboard, however, differences become apparent.
Thick cables run from the motor to the batteries in the center of the vehicle.
The diesel engine generates power that is stored in the batteries and runs an electric motor. It's called stealth mode because it might make future hybrid military vehicles harder to target in battle, Devine said. We are placing them in several bases, naval and Air Force, to get a perspective on different major commands, uses and environments. They have also fielded three hybrid tow tractors used to transport aircraft on the flight line, he said. Devine said Daimler-Chrysler has a fuel cell vehicle in the works, while Toyota has its Prius due soon and Honda is already selling its Insight hybrid car that gets up to 70 mpg.