The U.S. Army has announced it will be leasing a few thousand neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs—similar to vehicles found on college campuses) to be used on base for passenger transport, security patrol and maintenance and delivery services.

This is the largest investment the U.S. Armed Forces has made to reduce greenhouse gasses in history. Secretary of the Army Pete Geren said, “This historic acquisition will constitute the largest acquisition of electric vehicles not just in the army, but the entire country.”

A gasoline version of similar transport cars cost about $1,200 per year in fuel, while these neighborhood electric vehicles will cost an estimated $460 annually.

The first six of about 4,000 electric vehicles were manufactured by the Global Electric Motorcars division of Chrysler Corporation. However, several other electric car automakers are welcome compete to meet the Army’s vehicle requirements in the future.

Paul Bollinger, deputy assistant Army secretary for energy and partnerships, said, “We are having bumper stickers put on and decals on the doors which say ‘Army Green, Army Strong.’”

Resources:
www.ARMY.mil, Paul Boyce, “Army announces historic electric vehicle lease,” 01/12/09
Fox News, www.foxnews.com, “U.S. Military to Lease Thousands of Electric Vehicles,” 02/03/09
Army Times, Kris Osborn, “Army to buy electric cars,” 11/25/09