The Columbia ParCar Mega, one of the EVs the Army is considering for on-base, low-speed use
In an effort to save thousands of gallons of gas per vehicle, per year, the Army has revealed plans to lease, and then possibly buy, thousands of electric vehicles for on-base use. The EVs will have a top speed of 35 miles an hour, which is acceptable, since the speed limit on-base is only 30 miles an hour. The electricity-vs.-fossil-fuels cost savings are so significant ($2,000 per vehicle, per year) that the Air Force and Navy are considering similar plans.
The Army plans to take delivery of 800 of the on-base EVs next year, and 4,000 of them the year after that, with the estimated total number of vehicles reaching 10,000 by the end of the lease cycle. The Army plans to lease or buy the vehicles from several contractors, notably E-Z-Go and Native American Biofuels International, to name two. Paul Bollinger, deputy assistant Army secretary for energy and partnerships, says the EVs will not cost any more to lease than the vehicles the Army currently leases.
Source: Army News
