XL Fleet joins DoD pilot project for fuel-saving technology

XL Fleet was awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Transportation Systems (PMTS) to prototype a fuel-saving technology for military vehicles.

After earning the opportunity through a highly competitive bidding process, XL Fleet is one of two companies awarded a contract to develop a pilot technology project over the course of the next year. This technology has the potential to be applied to tens of thousands of existing vehicles across a wide range of military applications. The pilot program began on Oct. 1 and will run for 13 months.

“We are honored by the opportunity to compete for this highly selective U.S. government contract to develop fuel-saving solutions for a wide range of applications for tactical military vehicles,” said Tod Hynes, founder and president of XL Fleet. “XL Fleet’s proven technology, flexible platform, and deep experience in applying sustainable technologies to fleet vehicles make us an ideal fit for the U.S. military’s specialized needs for this project. We can help extend the operational range of their tactical vehicles, while supporting our troops’ safety and providing significant fuel and operating cost savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

As part of the DoD pilot program, XL Fleet is currently developing a retrofit idle reduction technology for use in the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), the U.S. Army's standard two-and-a-half to 10-ton trucks. The hybrid conversion kits would be delivered to the DoD for installation by soldiers on vehicles in the military fleet. 

The Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS), which includes PMTS, has expressed that this program may be a step toward further hybridization and electrification efforts, as the U.S. military moves toward sustainable energy solutions to extend the operational range of its tactical vehicle fleet, among other benefits.