Electric power has been used to run everything from boats to rollerblades, along with cars and motorbikes, but Torq's latest battery-powered vehicle could be the most useful of them all. The light tactical electric vehicle has room for a fully-suited bomb-disposal expert inside, along with all the equipment needed to get the job done.
The tough-looking Torq LTEV gets to where it needs to be courtesy of an 18 hp (13 kW) brushless motor, which has a top speed of just 30 mph (48 km/h). The whole thing is controlled by a 450 A motor controller. Torq says the battery can be charged using any regular 110 V socket, and should be good for around 3 hours before needing a top up.
Independent suspension at all four corners, along with hydraulic disc brakes on each wheel, keep it locked down when it gets on the move.
"Our goal was to develop a highly capable tactical vehicle that can alleviate EOD technician fatigue and may also serve to reduce a first responder's time-on-target," says Rick D'Andrea, Director of Sales and Marketing at Torq.
Standard equipment includes a fire extinguisher and a blinding LED spotlight, and the rear storage bin has room for a portable x-ray scanner. Dual spindle arms on the back of the LTEV are able to hold 2,500 ft (762 m) spools of Paracord or ShockTube.
Bomb disposal units aren't the only ones able to take advantage of the Torq LTEV. According to the company, it can be reconfigured for HAZMAT, SWAT or even Border Protection.
Source: Torq