Banks Diesel Hybrid HMMWV Revealed for U.S. Army
After months of keeping the project classified, we can finally reveal our latest engineering achievement; a Banks P2 Parallel Diesel Hybrid-powered HMMWV. Built for the U.S. Army, the prototype is propelled by a state-of-the-art Banks D630TH V6 Diesel engine coupled to a motor generator unit (MGU), powered by an 800-volt battery.
Full Video Transcript
00:00 Hi guys, Gail Banks here. Back in 21, the US Army asked industry, is it possible to build a diesel hybrid Humvey? We submitted a white paper, got selected, and here it is. With this vehicle, the team at Banks has achieved something truly amazing. We’ve taken a platform that was put into
00:24 production over 40 years ago and turned it into a modern, fully capable hybrid vehicle. The Banks Humvee isn’t just a Humvee for the modern era. It’s futureproof. We designed our Humvee as a P2 parallel hybrid to maximize drivetrain flexibility and operational efficiency. In this configuration, a
00:46 motor generator unit or MGU is positioned between the internal combustion engine and the transmission, separated by an electronically controlled coupler. This allows the engine to be completely decoupled, enabling full electric drive for silent operation or synchronized with the MGU
01:04 for torque blending and increased performance. Power can flow mechanically, electrically or both depending on the mission profile. Behind this door is how we connect to the outside world electrically. Let me give you a little taste. All this power comes from the MGU and
01:27 ice together. Our engineers spent hundreds of hours testing this thing on the dyno, at the track, and on the drag strip, gathering data to make our hybrid Humvee more than just a theory. You can see the MGU. The engine is not illuminated because we’re going to be an
01:49 EV. We go into drive. All right. And drive away. We’re pure electric. We’re on the Irwin Dale half mile. You can hear the tires. [Music] We come to a complete stop. So there you have it. Ran an EV, ran in full hybrid. To run on pure ice, you need a failure of the EV system. It becomes a backup
02:35 system. This is dominantly an EV or a hybrid. Like and subscribe so you can see updates on the Humvee project because you sure as hell won’t hear them coming.
With more than 100,000 HMMWVs in service around the world, the Army wanted to know what a Diesel hybrid could look like. We engineered the powertrain, battery management, and vehicle control systems as a proof-of-concept. The Banks HMMWV is quicker, substantially more powerful, and far more fuel-efficient than the original four-decade-old platform—delivering extended combat range, silent tactical movement, and exportable power to support expeditionary forces.. After completion, the HMMWV was sent to one of the Army’s state-of-the-art proving grounds for rigorous testing. It passed with flying colors.
The P2 parallel hybrid checks all the boxes. Propulsion comes from the Diesel engine, electric motor, or both. Unlike a pure EV, there’s no range anxiety. And, unlike a Diesel-only vehicle, it can run silently. The motor can assist the engine with torque-fill, solving one of the HMWWV’s biggest problems of the anemic 6.5L Diesel AM General engine. The battery can be charged while the engine is running, eliminating the need for remote charging stations. Applications for this modular powertrain extend far beyond defense, including medium-duty commercial trucks, transit buses, airport ground tugs, and marine vessels.
For those new to Banks’ history, we’ve supplied engines and power systems to the U.S. Armed Forces since the late 1970s, beginning with engines for the NAVY’s DEVGRU (Naval Special Warfare Development Group), known today as SEAL Team Six. Currently, Banks is the exclusive engine supplier to the ARMY’s JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) program. All JLTVs are powered by Banks D866T turbo Diesel engines. To date, Banks has delivered more than 26,000 engines.
Transforming Tactical Mobility: From Silent Watch to Mobile Microgrid
The strategic value of the Banks P2 hybrid architecture centers on tactical versatility in forward combat zones. Unlike battery-only electric vehicles (BEVs) that depend on vulnerable, fixed charging infrastructure, the Banks diesel hybrid generates its own electricity on the move using standard battlefield diesel/JP-8 fuels. When entering contested areas, troops can switch to pure-electric “Silent Watch” or stealth driving mode, eliminating both engine noise and heat-seeking thermal signatures. Once speed or climbing performance is demanded, the MGU instantly unleashes electric torque-fill alongside the high-efficiency D630TH turbo diesel.
Beyond vehicle propulsion, the 800-volt high-voltage architecture transforms each modernized HMMWV into an exportable mobile microgrid. Capable of exporting significant electrical energy, a single hybrid HMMWV can power Tactical Operation Centers (TOCs), field medical stations, radar arrays, or advanced counter-drone electronics without the need to transport and fuel noisy towed generators.
Furthermore, the modular nature of the Banks D630TH hybrid powertrain establishes a scalable blueprint for commercial and industrial heavy-duty applications. From medium-duty commercial logistics trucks and municipal delivery fleets to airport ground support tugs and marine propulsion, the combination of high-density diesel efficiency, regenerative braking, and zero-emission electric maneuvering addresses fleet decarbonization without sacrificing heavy payload capabilities or real-world operating range.
Related Military & Tactical Powertrain Articles
- Banks Delivers Diesel Hybrid to Army — Learn about the initial U.S. Army contract award, prototype development, and speedway testing milestones.
- Banks Diesel Hybrid HMMWV Success — Discover how the Banks D630TH engineering team celebrated project milestones ahead of testing at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground.
- Banks Propels JLTV into the Future — Read how Banks Technologies produces thousands of D866T turbo diesel engines for the military’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program.
- Hot Rod Humvee — Explore Banks’ long history of modernizing military HMMWVs with the Sidewinder turbo system and high-performance exhaust braking.