The British Army is going electric. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a one-year contract to Babcock International, the defence company, which will partner with Electrogenic, the Electric Vehicle (EV) experts. Four in-service military Land Rovers, two protected vehicles, and two general service will be converted; the diesel-fuelled engine will be stripped out and replaced with a drop-in kit and modified EV battery system.

This is all part of the MOD's targeted shift towards sustainability, specifically, electric vehicles from 2030, with the UK aiming to reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The converted vehicles will be put to the test by the Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) in a series of experimental battlefield and military scenarios which will assess performance over steep terrain, wading and towing, and different climate-related conditions.

The news was welcomed by Chris Spicer, Babcock’s Managing Director of Engineering and Systems Integration – Land, who said: “This is a great opportunity to investigate alternative engine technology, which will enable the British Army to extend the life of its Land Rover as diesel becomes obsolete. I’m excited to see how the converted Land Rovers perform in a test environment against diesel and hybrid equivalents."

We know that on the speed front, the EV equivalents are sure to match and even excel compared to their counterparts. However, off-road is where the true tests will happen and it will be interesting to see how the year-long trials, known as Project LURCHER, progress. Ultimately, the British Army is well renowned for its planning and reliability, so the decision to switch to electrification won’t be taken lightly.

Words: Mike Booth

Pictures: Electrogenic