CTMA Project #: 140716
Problem: Currently, there are relatively limited options for alternatively powered vehicles directly from domestic original equipment manufacturers. With the minimal knowledge of the long-term benefits and concerns of alternative fuel usage, it becomes difficult to validate an alternative fuel system being a true solution.
Benefit: This initiative will document the financial viability of using and or converting DoD vehicles to alternate energy sources. In addition, the DoD will assess the sustainability and maintainability of alternate powered vehicles and the delivery infrastructure necessary to deliver the alternate energy/fuels. This will allow a clear delineation of the financial and potential readiness impact of switching to alternate energy sources for DoD vehicles.
Solution/Approach: The best way to understand the true benefits of an alternative fuel choice is to conduct a validation study within the entities own vehicles being used in their own drive cycle by their own users. This initiative will focus on evaluating the utility and feasibility and maintainability of utilizing alternate energy/fuel as a power source in wheeled vehicles. This will be accomplished by converting current vehicles at the target base, tracking their performance during an evaluation period, and converting the vehicles back to their initial state at the end of the evaluation period.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Leverage fuel options for greater independence
- Reduce consumptions and cost
- Impact maintenance
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Vehicle Management
- U.S. Marine Corps – Camp Pendleton
Industry Participation:
- Schwan Food Company (via Bi-Phase Technologies, LLC)
- Troika Solutions, Inc.
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Obsolescence management and continued maintenance capability
Focus Area:
- Energy, environmental, health, and safety
