Foxconn doesn’t have a great track record for producing its promised automotive products, including the long-awaited Apple Car. When it comes to EVs made in Wisconsin, the company that’s proven it’s worth for the commercial vehicle market is Oshkosh Defense. So, what electric vehicles have the company produced, and what’s in its future?

Background of Foxconn’s Wisconsin project

In July 2017, Foxconn was heralded as the company that would essentially pave the way for bringing tech manufacturing to American soil. The Taiwanese-based electronics company made big promises out of the deal. The project was projected to cost around $10 billion, and it was supposed to build flat screens for TVs and other electrical equipment. According to CNBC, the plant was to be built in Wisconsin, and it would take up approximately 20 million square feet of property. 

However, due to what Foxconn called ‘unanticipated marketing fluctuations,’ the project was downsized. Instead of bringing 13,000 jobs to Wisconsin, it was changed to 1,454. The deal then was to produce smaller, earlier-generation screens. Yet, like the previous project, it never actually came about, at least not as expected. 

Not too long ago, the company switched gears to electric vehicles, claiming that Wisconsin had the perfect infrastructure for EV production, and proceeded to make plans to partner with Fisker to develop an SUV. However, despite many years of waiting and promises, there have still been no Wisconsin-made Foxconn products.

Oshkosh Defense’s eJLTV electric-hybrid Humvee for the U.S. military

Oshkosh Defense, a Wisconsin-based truck company, has produced its first electric-hybrid Humvee vehicle. This is the company’s take on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform for the military. While you wouldn’t think it possible to use a vehicle like this for active duty, Oshkosh Defense figured out a way, according to Jalopnik. 

The 30 kWh Lithium-Ion battery installed can be charged as it runs, and it can be done in 30 minutes. That means you won’t have to worry about accessing charging infrastructures in remote areas. It sports the same level of protection and performance that original models had. It does add a few new features, though. One is the model’s stealth mode, which you can easily switch to when silence is needed. Additionally, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Humvee‘s exportable power, producing 115-kilowatts, eliminates the need to tow behind generators. 

What other EVs is Oshkosh Defense working on?

While the electric-hybrid light tactical vehicle is revolutionary for the military, it’s not the only EV in production by Oshkosh Defense. According to Oshkosh Corporation’s website, three other types of electric vehicles are being designed for use. 

The first is an electric mail-carrying vehicle for the United States Postal Service (USPS). The one Oshkosh Defense has designed will come with forward collision warning, sliding side doors, blind-spot warning, air conditioning, a backup camera, a 360-degree camera, front and rear bumper sensors, and automatic front and rear braking. 

Another EV the company has designed is a fire truck called the Pierce Volterra Pumper. This truck is in use in Madison, Wisconsin, and runs on an electric battery. Its features include a parallel electric drivetrain and an electro-mechanical variable transmission. 

Lastly, Oshkosh Defense has also designed a fully electric front discharge concrete truck prototype. It performs like a traditional concrete truck, except a commercial-grade lithium-ion battery powers it. 

Oshkosh Defense has managed to succeed where Foxconn, so far, has failed when it comes to producing electric vehicles in Wisconsin. The company has a pretty decent resume of green commercial vehicles under its belt, including the new electric models.