U.S. Army bringing Quantum's CERV to Chicago Auto Show

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. is a leading developer of alternative vehicle technologies and has designed and produced the CERV in conjunction with U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

In city traffic totally quiet electric vehicles can be an impediment to the deaf and distracted, but on the battlefield quiet operation can be a huge military advantage. Quantum’s CERV can travel up to eight miles silently in its EV mode.

Intended for reconnaissance, targeting and rescue sorties, the hybrid vehicle can hit speeds up to 80 mph and climb grades of up to 60 degrees, thanks to a torque output of 5,000 lb.-ft.

The two Quantum CERVs at the Chicago Auto Show, running through Feb. 20 in the massive McCormick Place convention center, are from the Detroit Arsenal headquarters and can be found at the Chicago Army Recruiting Battalion display during the show.

The hybrid vehicles can save up to 25 percent of the fuel used by equivalent gas engine models. A single one percent savings on fuel consumption results in a great improvement in the logistics of supply. Guarding fuel convoys is one of the most dangerous duties a soldier can perform – they create an obvious and predictable targeting opportunity for the enemy.

That marginal savings in fuel consumption can reduce the convoy exposure of our troops by 6,444 fewer Soldier trips as convoy guards, a significant reduction in the overall risk during conflict deployment.

"TARDEC's mission remains unchanged; bring the newest innovations and technology that support our troops against an ever-evolving and changing enemy threat," said Derhun Sanders, TARDEC associate director of communications. "Undoubtedly, these are some of the Army's greenest vehicles and the kind of technology that can meet our nation's energy security demands."

The diesel-hybrid Quantam CERVs are currently in testing at various sites about the country, while the Army's newest lab nears completion. The 30,000-square-foot Ground Systems Power and Energy Lab (GSPEL), is slated to open April 11.

The facility will incorporate eight labs into a state-of-the-art research and development facility. GSPEL will provide a foundation for the Army's evolving alternative power and energy focus, giving the Army the latest possible design and testing capability to conduct research, development, modeling, simulation and real world trials of both military and commercial vehicles of all types and applications from collateral subsystem components to overall or coordinating management and control systems.