Feds spending $1.2M to see if zero-emission armoured vehicles are possible

Report expected back on the matter in 18 months

Published Jul 09, 2026  •  2 minute read

Prime Minister Mark Carney walks alongside Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan, and Minister of National Defence, David McGuinty, as they attend a tour of the Fort York Armoury in Toronto on June 9, 2025 in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

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It’s not easy being green — especially in the military.

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Despite research saying green military technology is non-existent, too costly or impractical, the Department of National Defence has commissioned a $1.2-million study on the feasibility of zero-emission light-armoured vehicles, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

“The current mandate from the Treasury Board in the Greening Government Strategy is for the department to reduce emissions from operations to net zero while continuing to provide Canada with effective operational capability,” management wrote in a notice to contractors.

“To decarbonize operations, it is expected the national safety and security fleet departments will use more environmentally friendly technologies and low-carbon fuels when available, affordable compatible and operationally friendly.”

Added the notice Digital Feasibility Study:  “The scope of work for this contract is to employ industry experts to conduct a digital feasibility study for a solid-state, hydrogen-powered light-armoured vehicle with a maximum weight of 45,000 pounds.”

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No platforms currently available: Officials

The department acknowledged there are “currently no zero-emission platforms” for armoured vehicles, but that a report was due in 18 months.

The notice said that climate targets will never be met if military vehicles continued to use diesel and gasoline.

“Without the ability to operate and be sustained using alternate fuels, the Canadian Army has no pathway to procure and field zero-emission platforms,” it said.

A 2018 Defence Energy and Environment Strategy proposed sweeping initiatives like installing wind farms on army bases and encouraging staff to cycle to work.

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However, most of those ideas lapsed without comment including a proposal to “use clean power at all bases” by 2025 and to mandate a minimum 30% electric vehicle quota.

Use of battery electric motors by the military was deemed costly and impractical in a 2019 report by the Crown agency Defence Research and Development Canada.

“The purchase of hybrid vehicles would be difficult to justify on cost alone,” said the report Feasibility of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Powertrains for Light Tactical Vehicles.

“It is not clear the fuel savings would compensate for the increased upfront costs over the lifespan of the vehicle.”

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