The US Army is looking for an off-road truck to scout ahead of airborne and light infantry units. This search could lead the Army’s move to electric motors. But electrifying heavy cargo trucks, let alone tanks, could take decades. Interested companies will be briefed on Oct. 20 on an electric-drive version.

The service is working with a non-profit consortium of more than 200 companies and universities developing clean transportation technologies, CALSTART. There is no eco-friendly logic behind the decision as electric vehicles accelerate quicker, run cooler, and move quieter than internal combustion ones.  These are valuable advantages for stealthy scouts like Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV).