General Motors teamed up with the United States Army to create the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell vehicle.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZH2
The Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 was unveiled yesterday at the fall meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) in Washington D.C. It was created in a collaborative effort between GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).
And, quite frankly, it is awesome.
The modified midsize pickup looks like something straight out of the Call of Duty or Halo franchises. It's menacing and intimidating, and we don't doubt GM when they label it the "most extreme off-road-capable fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle ever."
The Chevy Colorado ZH2 stands over 6.5 feet tall and is more than seven feet wide, meaning it's built on a stretched out chassis. The suspension has also been specially modified, allowing it to ride on 37-inch BF Goodrich tires.
The exterior features new sheetmetal, a mean front fascia, and a concealed cargo area. Inside, the ZH2's cabin is a pretty standard crew cab variant of the civilian version of the current Chevrolet Colorado, aside from a pair of Recaro seats and Simpson racing harnesses.
Where it most departs from the road-going Colorado is the drivetrain. The Colorado ZH2 houses a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric motor. GM didn't release a lot of specifics, but, basically, the motor is powered by a hydrogen-burning generator.
This glorious truck isn't just for show either. It was created so that the Army can test its viability in the field.
U.S. Army to Test the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2
The Army will put this truck to the test in 2017 to see how viable a hydrogen-powered ground vehicle can be for military purposes. The Army will evaluate the Colorado ZH2 and its hydrogen fuel cell in "extreme field conditions" for:
-Near-silent operation enabling silent watch capability
-Reduced acoustic and thermal signatures
-High wheel torque at all speeds via electric drive
-Low fuel consumption across operating range
-Water by-product for field uses
There's a real link between the advantages of electric vehicles and what's needed for military missions. EVs are inherently quieter and hydrogen fuel cells don't produce as much of a thermal signature.
Also, the ZH2 features an Exportable Power Take-Off (EPTO) unit. GM says that this feature allows the fuel cell to power activity in remote locations that aren't near the vehicle.
Most of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 was assembled at GM's Advanced Vehicle Integration facility in Warren, Michigan, which is also the city where co-creator TARDEC happens to be headquartered.
GM is finishing up calibration testing at one of their facilities, after which the vehicle will be turned over to the Army for field testing.
We can all marvel at the impressive truck, and GM and the Army can learn about the advantages and limitations of what a fuel-cell-powered vehicle can do in the field. From there, we'll see if these bad boys (or something similar) are green lit to be mass produced and sent into combat.
