The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been chosen to redesign a key component of U.S. military ground combat vehicles: the traction inverter. This new silicon carbide (SiC)-based inverter aims to significantly enhance vehicle performance, providing 200% greater range while being four times smaller than previous technology.
This initiative is part of a three-year, $6 million project fully funded by the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF). The United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) will lead the project, with technical assistance from both NREL and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
NREL’s team will develop the compact SiC-based power inverter, named PICHOT, which stands for a power inverter that can operate efficiently at high temperatures. With advancements in power density and thermal management, PICHOT is expected to help U.S. Army ground combat vehicles travel farther while consuming less fuel.
PICHOT is set to retain the 200-kilowatt output of its predecessor, the Zeus inverter, but will occupy a significantly smaller footprint—approximately the size of a shoebox. The design will integrate into various hybrid-electric ground combat vehicles, including the Abrams and Stryker battle tanks.
The new inverter is projected to achieve 53% fuel savings compared to existing technologies, enabling Army vehicles to operate longer without refueling. NREL’s innovations will contribute to the Army’s goals of enhanced performance, safety, and sustainability as it moves towards lower-emission vehicles.
PICHOT will undergo modeling, fabrication, and testing over the project’s three years, with plans to provide blueprints to manufacturers for widespread implementation in Army vehicles.