IDF considers Better Place infrastructure and electric troop carriers

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is considering developing a quiet electric vehicle for carrying troops and cargo, according to a report in Globes. The vehicle will reportedly have a diesel or gasoline engine to extend its range when the batteries run out.

Elbit Systems Ltd., which has experience building electric motors for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is apparently a leading contender to develop and supply the electric vehicle.

Globes also reports that the Ministry of Defence is considering installing Better Place's recharging infrastructure at IDF bases, which could be used for the fleet of electric military vehicles, as well as for civilian electric cars when they become available. In March 2008, Better Place named Major General Moshe Kaplinsky, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF, as the CEO of Better Place Israel.

As reported on this blog last year, the IDF already plans to install thousands of Traffilog systems to improve fuel efficiency in its fleet of vehicles.

Last month, the U.S. Army announced plans to lease 4,000 non-tactical electric vehicles for use on Army bases for passenger transport, security patrol, and maintenance and delivery services. In 2007, the U.S. Army awarded a contract for development of a diesel hybrid electric vehicle called the Quantum Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV) Aggressor.

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Traffilog develops solution to improve fuel efficiency

Traffilog develops solution to improve fuel efficiency

Traffilog, an Israeli start-up based in Rosh Ha'ayin, is developing a web-based solution to better administer fleets of cars and trucks. The company was recently profiled in articles in the Jerusalem Post and Ha'aretz.

Traffilog's system features GPS and various sensors that interact with the vehicle's systems and monitor driving characteristics such as acceleration, braking, turns, engine revolutions per minute and oil pressure. The information is then reported back to a central server, and a fleet manager can determine whether vehicles are being driven safely and efficiently .

The company's "black boxes" were installed in 500 cars used by the Israel Defense Forces over the last 18 months. In response, drivers moderated their driving style and the result was an average saving of 14% in fuel consumption (280,000 liters of gas). Traffilog's system will now be installed in thousands more IDF vehicles in the coming months.

GreenRoad Technologies, another Israeli company developing a system to reduce accidents and improve fuel efficiency, raised $14.5 million from Benchmark Capital and Virgin Green Fund back in January 2008.