AM General Humvee Charge Concept

The AM General Humvee Charge concept is a plug-in hybrid with some very beneficial features. It has three driving modes, including an all-electric mode for silent mobility. It also has increased wheel travel, faster acceleration, and the ability to export power from its 30 kWh battery.

A Brief History of AM General

AM General has a long history and is a leading manufacturer of light tactical vehicles and mobility systems. Back in the mid-’60s the company produced nearly 112,000 5-ton and 150,000 2.5-ton trucks for the armed forces of the free world. In 1983, the company won an Army contract to produce 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV or the colloquial name; Humvee) over a 5-year period. That number has grown substantially through the years. As a matter of fact, by 2012 the company produced 280,000 Humvees. AM General offers several Humvee variants. In November 2021, AM General announced a partnership with Qinetiq to develop a new hybrid-electric Humvee concept.

Three Drive Modes and Minimized Acoustic and Thermal Signatures

The Humvee Charge plug-in hybrid concept, based on the Humvee platform, has three driving modes. The modes consist of an internal combustion engine (ICE), a hybrid powertrain that adds the use of an electric motor to the ICE engine, and all-electric drive. This trio of options offers many functional benefits. For example, acceleration in hybrid mode is significantly improved. Also, fuel consumption is decreased by up to 30 percent. And all-electric mode offers silent drive/silent watch capabilities by eliminating the sound of the ICE engine. All-electric mode is also beneficial for special operations missions that require silent mobility. Having all-electric capability also minimizes the vehicles acoustic and thermal signatures. Charging the vehicle is easy and it uses commercial off-the-shelf components to charge. Level 1, level 2, or level 3 chargers can be used to recharge the Humvee’s battery.

Exportable Power

The ability to export power is a benefit of many EVs and the Charge concept can do just that. As the photo above illustrates, the vehicle can be utilized as a power source in an emergency. The Charge concept can provide 24V DC, 110V AC, and 208V three-phase AC and vehicle-to-grid synchronization. Furthermore, the ICE engine can charge the 30 kWh battery to supply additional power generation for extended periods.

AM General Humvee Charge Concept Semi-Active Suspension

AM General has fit the Charge concept with a new suspension. The new suspension is semi-active, and it increases wheel travel by 50 percent. One of the benefits of increased wheel travel is a smoother ride on rough terrain because the suspension is less likely to “bottom out.” Additionally, increased wheel travel can also allow tires to stay in contact with the ground on uneven terrain, which improves traction. AM General says the suspension under the Charge concept also provides an increase in the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).