Green going green: U.S. Army to lease electric vehicles

The U.S. Army will save millions in fuel costs by leasing electric vehicles for some on-base and relatively local usage.

As with everything military, these vehicles have an acronym - NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle). Here is the Army's official press release.

The vehicles will be used for security patrol, passenger transport, maintenance and deliveries. NEVs can travel 30 miles at 25 miles an hour, with an eight hour charge. The Army will lease up to 4,000 NEVs, which are made by Global Electric Motorcars, a division of Chrysler. Here is what a civilian utility version of these looks like.

By using these electric vehicles, the Army aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 11.5 million gallons over six years.

These vehicles are not intended to be used in war zones. However, according to the release, "as part of its Future Combat Systems (FCS) ground force modernization program, the Army is developing a suite of eight new hybrid-electric powered Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs) for its armored forces. These more fuel-efficient vehicles will reduce the Army's dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the number of refueling convoys exposed in combat."

Well, I hope to NEVer see a NEV in my neighborhood, but I'm glad the military is thinking progressively.