Oshkosh is developing the HEMTT A3 under a research contract from the military. This monster uses electric motor to drive all eight wheels. One thing that confused me was what is the point in using a diesel engine that drives a generator to produce electricity utilized to drive. The truck could use direct diesel engine instead. The answer to this question is that the Propulse system used in this truck uses less diesel than a straight diesel drivetrain.
The best part of this system is that it overcomes the disadvantage of diesel engine to run at a constant speed, and it doesn’t need a transmission or drive shafts. The truck uses regenerative breaking and ultracapacitors for quick energy storage and release.
The army will test several of these trucks at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and once the truck comes into operation the Company plans to release a civilian version very soon. The truck is capable of providing enough electricity when stationary to power a city block, this capability may be useful to provide electricity to far flung areas that are hard to reach.
Via: crave