Industry
Powering the world’s largest logistics operation
Imagine an organisation that operates vehicles of every size and type. It houses, feeds, and protects hundreds of thousands of people, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from urban headquarters to desert camps. It consumes nearly 28 million megawatt-hours of electricity per year and over 3 billion gallons of fuel.
That organisation isn’t imaginary, it’s the U.S. Department of Defense. As one of the world’s largest consumers of energy, it faces growing pressure to cut costs, reduce emissions, and strengthen operational resilience. The answer lies in electrification, which means replacing fuel-based systems with technologies powered by electricity. This includes hybrid and fully electric vehicles, advanced battery storage, and deployable microgrids that can generate, store, and distribute energy independently of traditional fuel supply chains.
The United Kingdom is pursuing the same goal. The Ministry of Defence currently produces around 1.8 million tonnes of operational greenhouse gas emissions each year but aims to reduce fuel consumption by a further 10% by 2026. Battlefield electrification, supported by advances in batteries, hybrid platforms, and microgrid technology, sits at the centre of that strategy.
From the battlefield to the base camp
It might be a battery energy storage system (BESS) keeping the lights on at a remote outpost, an electric heavy goods vehicle delivering critical supplies across rough terrain, or an exoskeleton suit powered to enhance human performance. In every case, reliable and portable energy, especially from advanced batteries, is becoming as vital as food, water, and communication.
Yet while examples of electrification are starting to appear across military operations, the transition will take time. According to the British Army’s Approach to Battlefield Electrification, large military platforms are unlikely to have full electric drive before the 2040s and will benefit much more from hybrid drive solutions in the meantime. Hybrid systems extend range, cut fuel use, and improve mobility without sacrificing reliability, marking a practical step between conventional and fully electric fleets.
Even so, momentum is building. The global military vehicle electrification market was valued at $7.5 billion USD in 2024, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $80.4 billion USD by 2035, as armed forces invest in technologies that balance immediate performance with long-term sustainability.
Dispelling old myths
Historically, militaries were wary of battery technology pointing to limited range, long charging times, and the challenges of transporting heavy energy systems. Yet, the battery industry has evolved dramatically. Today’s batteries are lighter, faster-charging, and longer-lasting.
Both the U.S. and British Armies are testing new ways to bring these technologies into the field. In the UK, for example, trials are under way to fit existing military vehicles with hybrid-electric engines to see how they perform in real conditions. One of the main test vehicles is the Jackal, an all-terrain patrol vehicle designed for speed and agility across difficult landscapes. The goal is to understand how hybrid systems can extend range, improve handling, and enable quieter movement, which is especially valuable for missions that demand flexibility and endurance.
Strategic independence and secure power
For any modern force, the ability to operate without fragile fuel supply lines is critical. Traditional backup systems rely on diesel generators, but these need constant maintenance, refuelling, and storage, each creating another point of failure.
Microgrids offer a more flexible, sustainable, and reliable alternative. They are compact power networks that can generate and store electricity on site, often using a mix of renewables, BESS, and small generators. If cut off from the main grid, they can run independently, keeping bases and equipment powered.
Lessons from the modern battlefield
Three lessons from the war in Ukraine stand out:
- Forces today are often more dispersed, supported by decentralised logistics and power generation. In the past, many operations were based around large, permanent hubs such as Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which at its height housed around 28,000 people. Now, soldiers are more likely to operate in smaller teams spread across trenches, villages, or temporary outposts
- Drones dominate the skies, from surveillance to strike roles, many of which rely on compact, efficient batteries. As batteries become ever lighter, increasingly larger drones will depend on them.
- Ukraine and Russia’s conflict has underscored a harsh reality: energy infrastructure, from power plants to distribution networks, is both a prime military target and a critical vulnerability. The cascading effects of power disruptions impact everything from military operations to civilian life. Moving forward, resilient solutions like battery-backed microgrids will be essential for maintaining power under fire.
Beyond the battlefield
While the military may represent an extreme example, its challenges mirror those faced by industries everywhere from logistics and mining to transportation and grid management. Each is wrestling with the same fundamental question: how do we move, build, and connect in a world no longer powered by fossil fuels?
The answer, increasingly, lies in battery innovation; the quiet revolution reshaping how energy is produced, stored, and used across every sector.
