We’ve seen that the Army is currently employing GM Defense to piece together Hummer EV variants for use in combat, which should provide a great alternative to the challenges of diesel engines. However, with the assortment of standard Diesel Humvees the Army already has in the field, a system to give them a much-needed powertrain update may also prove helpful.
Banks Power Hybrid Diesel Humvee: Details
Southern California Shop Banks Power is a powerhouse in the diesel tuning world. This is why it’s not surprising that the U.S. Army turned to the company to develop something extraordinary—a hybrid system to give its aging Humvee a breath of fresh air. Banks’ work was successful as a recent video was posted to the company’s YouTube channel showing off the diesel hybrid Humvee prototype.
The Humvee, also known as the AM General HMMWV, has been around for decades, and its diesel powertrain isn’t reliable enough to take on modern warfare like it used to. The powertrain isn’t a very efficient configuration, which is why this vehicle was ripe for creating an electrified system.
The shop employed an 800-volt battery and an electric motor assisting a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The result of this modification is a faster vehicle that is quicker to accelerate and has a more extended driving range, which is always a benefit, especially in the field. The electric drivetrain components provide other advantages, such as a silent driving range and the ability to power a “mobile tactical operations center.”
Unfortunately, the teaser video on the diesel hybrid Humvee doesn’t reveal much in the way of how the powertrain works. However, that’s probably by design, as the project’s greater detail is likely hush-hush. That said, the interior images show a drive selection switch to toggle between hybrid, diesel, and electric modes, and some upgraded Banks gauges are added to the Hummer’s dash. The vehicle will likely undergo testing by the military and could result in more Humvees receiving the upgrade in the future.
