Polaris and SFC Energy team up to bring silent fuel cell power to NATO tactical vehicles
Polaris Government and Defence has partnered with SFC Energy to offer integrated fuel cell power on its MRZR light tactical vehicles, targeting NATO and allied defence forces.
Unveiled at SOF Week in Tampa, the setup adds SFC’s EMILY 3000 methanol fuel cell system to the high-mobility MRZR platform as an optional onboard power unit.
The aim is to provide military users with quiet, reliable electrical power in the field – without needing to idle the engine or deploy a generator.
The EMILY 3000 is already certified for military use and carries a NATO stock number.
Weighing 12kg, it runs on liquid methanol and delivers sustained, low-signature power for radios, sensors, drones, and communications equipment.
It supports a range of battery chemistries and can operate either as an onboard system or a standalone field unit.
SFC says the unit offers high energy density with minimal heat and noise output, making it well-suited for covert or extended operations.
By removing the need to run the vehicle’s engine, the system helps reduce fuel use, thermal and acoustic signatures, and mechanical wear.
“The Polaris MRZR is widely used by NATO forces for its off-road capability and modularity,” said Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy.
“Adding EMILY 3000 gives it greater endurance and energy independence for real-world missions.”
The methanol-based fuel cell has already been deployed in various defence applications and is approved for air transport under UN3473 regulations.
Its inclusion on Polaris’s platform marks a further push to bring low-emission hybrid energy systems into frontline defence roles.
