GM Defense Builds One-Off Electric ISV

General Motors Defense built an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) presenting it as the All-Electric Concept Vehicle. This Concept uses the GM’s eCrate electric powertrain, consisting of an electric motor that delivers 200 horsepower and 361 Newton-meters of torque.

A 60 kWh, 400-volt battery, and a 70 to 150 miles range, and the odd thing here is the electric motor in front under the hood but driving the rear wheels. Still, the EVs system could apparently operate in the FWD system, making a possible to route the power through a transfer case.

GM Defense shows an ISV with a pickup bed on the back, rather than the seats in the rear of the standard version, this way the vehicle could have only 5 passengers limits instead of the usual nine. The ISV is a direct response to the US Army survey in November asking for an electric light reconnaissance vehicle that would weigh 12,000 pounds fully loaded. GM is also going towards the electrification trend back in 2020.

"There were no requirements to build anything of the sort. However, we wanted to show our Army customers what was possible in a short amount of time. We took it off-road at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Rock City Campground on Monday, and it performed exceptionally well and did the same course as the ISV which included a steep muddy and rocky hill climb," said GM Defense spokesperson Sonia Taylor in an official response to Motor1.com

Currently, GM Defense has a $214.3 million military contract to build the combustion-powered ISV for the Army. The initial order for 639 of them could be increase to 2,065 vehicles, and the new ISV electrified version could be a great opportunity for more collaborations.