· 4 min read
The dual imperative
Europe today faces two simultaneous imperatives. On one hand, the geopolitical shocks of recent years demand stronger defense capabilities and a rapid rearmament effort. On the other, climate policy and economic resilience require a decisive pivot away from fossil fuels. Traditionally, these agendas have been treated as separate, even contradictory: tanks and trucks ran on diesel, while electric innovation was left to the civilian car industry. But the timing of Europe’s defense expansion creates a unique overlap. The hundreds of billions now being allocated to defense procurement could just as easily be channelled into hybrid and electric platforms as into conventional diesel machines.
The case for electric militaries
Hybrid and electric military systems are no longer science fiction. In South Korea, the next-generation K3 tank is being developed with a hybrid powerpack that combines diesel and hydrogen, with plans to move toward full fuel-cell propulsion. The U.S. Army has been testing hybrid tactical vehicles in Europe, noting the operational benefits of “silent drive” capability and the ability to export power directly to field equipment. In Sweden, early prototypes of hybrid infantry vehicles have already proven the technical feasibility of integrating electric drives into armored platforms. These are not public-relations exercises; they are concrete signals that electrification offers genuine battlefield advantages.
Those advantages go beyond reducing emissions. Electric and hybrid propulsion systems produce lower thermal and acoustic signatures, making vehicles harder to detect. They cut reliance on vulnerable fuel convoys — long a critical weakness in modern warfare. They reduce maintenance costs and, crucially, they can provide portable power for the increasingly energy-hungry systems of modern combat, from advanced sensors to directed-energy weapons. In this sense, electrification is not just about sustainability — it is about battlefield superiority.
The industrial dimension
Europe also stands to gain industrially. Defense has historically been a powerful driver of civilian innovation, from radar and aviation to the internet. A deliberate shift toward electric and hybrid military platforms could accelerate advances in battery chemistry, charging infrastructure, and power electronics. It would also strengthen Europe’s domestic manufacturing base at a time when securing supply chains for critical technologies has become a strategic priority. In an era where industrial policy and security policy increasingly overlap, electrifying defense vehicles could become a cornerstone of Europe’s dual agenda.
The risk of sticking with diesel
The alternative is grimly familiar: another generation of armored and tactical vehicles tied to fossil fuel logistics. The Ukraine war has already highlighted how fuel convoys can become liabilities. Doubling down on diesel platforms would not only perpetuate that vulnerability but also waste billions on assets that will look increasingly outdated against the global backdrop of electrification. Europe risks ending up with expensive equipment that locks in emissions and dependence, while other regions surge ahead in developing dual-use electric mobility systems.
Leapfrogging with purpose
The scale of Europe’s defense budgets makes this moment unique. Rarely do governments have both the urgency and the resources to reshape entire fleets. By directing even a portion of new procurement toward hybrid and electric systems, Europe could leapfrog directly into a future-proof arsenal — strengthening both security and sustainability. This is not about greening the military for public relations. It is about recognizing that the forces of the future will be stronger, stealthier, and more resilient if they are not shackled to fossil fuels.
Conclusion
Europe’s defense build-up is a once-in-a-generation moment to align security and energy transition. The technology exists, the budgets are there, and the strategic logic is overwhelming. The only real risk is inertia: the temptation to simply order another round of diesel platforms because it feels familiar. But familiarity is no substitute for foresight. An electric arsenal would not only bolster Europe’s defense; it would help lead the continent into the very energy future it is already striving to build.
illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
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