How 3ME Technology electrified the Bushmaster

By Peter Roberts

An electric Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle turned up at the Army Robotics Expo in Adelaide earlier this month, wowing the crowd with the futuristic version of the redoubtable Thales Australian manufactured armoured vehicle.

But the story of how the Bushmaster, recently one of Australia’s gifts to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion, starts with Cardiff, Newcastle e-mobility and battery systems technology developer 3ME Technology.

The company has been building up its experience and expertise in electrifying vehicles over 15 years, usually developing customised electronic and electrical systems for unusual environments and uses.

In a series of projects, some funded by mining equipment industry growth centre METS Ignited, 3ME have developed a number of electric vehicles for open cut and underground mining applications.

The vehicles such as the 20 tonne TRITEV battery electric underground mining vehicle developed with Batt Mobile Equipment (BME) and Tritton Underground (Aeris Resources) and the Bortana EV battery powered utility vehicle (below) have been regularly reported by @AuManufacturing news.

The other factor behind the ePMV is the practical problem-solving nature of that recent phenomenon of an army-veteran led business – Justin Bain, former Army Signals Officer, is now CEO, and he and his team could see the potential to electrify the Bushmaster.

Bain said: “Within this building we have the operational experience on the platform…we have people who have served in theatres of conflict.

“We have done very complex mining system electric integration. We have been able to combine all our learnings and expertise from that rugged environment. And we have then combined that with the collaboration we have had with the army and defence science and technology about their requirements.”

3ME Technology partnered with Defence Science and Technology (DST) and the Australian Army to develop the first-of-kind prototype Electric Protected Mobility Vehicle (ePMV), which Bain describes as a first of type, proof of concept vehicle conversion.

Said senior project manager, Peter Chant: “We have taken a second hand, diesel powered protected military vehicle and completely re-engineered it.

“This vehicle is now faster and quieter making it an even more effective military platform.

“We have accomplished things that I didn’t think were possible.”

The conversion is based on the most familiar lithium ion battery chemistry, and incorporates two batteries with a total storage capacity of 113 kilowatt hours – large enough to run the average Australian home for about six days on a single charge. To put it another way this is the equivalent of about 7,000 mobile phone batteries.

All this integration of the electrical and drive systems was done within a very tight space.

CFR Tim Willetts, another veteran, said the ePMV offered reduced noise, greater operational effectiveness, and greater reliability in the field.

Willetts said: “The maintainability of these vehicles in the field is critical. With the ePMV, the increased reliability that we get from electric motors and electrical equipment will dramatically increase that reliability in the field.”

According to Bain, turning 3ME’s focus from mining to defence is ‘just the beginning’.

“We are so excited about what will come next and that we are spearheading the electrification goals of the army and supporting the defence force in these important next steps, around trials, testing and future developments.”