Babcock International has been awarded a one-year contract by the Ministry of Defence to help the British Army understand the defence application and constraints of electric propulsion.
The company will be partnering with Electrogenic and will convert four in-service military Land Rovers, two protected vehicles and two general service, from diesel fuelled to EV using a drop-in kit and modified battery system.
The vehicles will then be put to the test by the Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) in a series of experimental battlefield/military scenarios, which will assess performance over steep terrain, wading and towing, and different climate-related conditions.
Chris Spicer, Babcock’s managing director of engineering and systems integration – land, said: “This is a great opportunity to investigate alternative engine technology, which will enable the British Army to extend the life of its Land Rovers as diesel becomes obsolete. I am excited to see how the converted Land Rovers perform in a test environment against diesel and hybrid equivalents. Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy and by partnering with Electrogenic, we will be supporting the MoD to be prepared for the shift to EVs from 2030 and the UK in reaching its goal of ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050.”
The contract was awarded to Babcock International by Defence Equipment and Support, the procurement for the armed forces.
Steve Drummond, co-founder of Electrogenic, added: “We are delighted to be working with Babcock, and we are immensely proud to be putting our market-leading EV technology to the ultimate test with the British Army. To be selected is a testament to the sophistication of our technology, and our years of experience developing Land Rover EV conversions. At the core of our offering, is the ability to have total control over every element of the electric drivetrain. As a result, our EV technology elevates performance — particularly when in adverse conditions and off-road — to a whole new level. It is the ideal fit for military vehicles.”
