Green Car Guide Live: Military might gets behind electric cars

Everyone’s going eco, even the petrolheads at the MoD. It’s behind a project to investigate electric power instead of petrol for Land Rovers and other off-road vehicles.

The project, now in the hands of Yorkshire-based Magnetic Systems Technology, has given birth to the HERO (Hybrid Electric Reliable Offroad). It’s a modified Land Rover Defender TDi 300, powered purely by batteries.

The current version claims a maximum range of 15 miles on electric power alone, but with new batteries and lithium ion technology its makers say they’ll get up to 30 miles out of a single charge.

Impressive stuff with a heavy 4×4, and it’s thanks to a modified clutch and no flywheel housing, making extra space for batteries.

In the future, the same technology will find its way into taxis and buses. Pair it with fast recharging, and you’re on to a winner.

TBC | £TBC

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