GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) on Monday revealed the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric all-terrain vehicle.Though it was built on a stretched-midsize pickup chassis, the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 revealed today by GM and the U.S. Army, bears little resemblance to its popular namesake.
The Colorado ZH2 , which features an electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, is a nearly silent off-road beast equipped with 37-inch tires and a specially modified suspension that enable it to “climb over and descend all manner of terrain,” according to GM’s press release.
The U.S. Army will be testing the Colorado ZH2 in extreme field conditions next year to determine if a hydrogen-powered vehicle is an ideal candidate for military use. (Pictures posted below.)
The Colorado ZH2 features an Exportable Power Take-Off unit (EPTO) that allows the fuel cell to power activity away from the vehicle, such as remote locations where electric power may otherwise be unavailable.
GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) collaborated to develop the ZH2 from contract to concept in less than a year.
GM is leveraging a range of advanced technologies for multiple applications, including military.
“The speed with which innovative ideas can be demonstrated and assessed is why relationships with industry are so important to the Army,” said Paul Rogers, director of TARDEC. “Fuel cells have the potential to expand the capabilities of Army vehicles significantly through quiet operation, exportable power and solid torque performance, all advances that drove us to investigate this technology further.”
The Army will evaluate the ZH2 fuel cell 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
GM and TARDEC have fuel cell development laboratories located 20 miles apart in southeast Michigan. Most of the Colorado ZH2 was assembled in GM’s Advanced Vehicle Integration facility in Warren. Calibration testing at GM’s Milford Proving Ground will continue into early 2017, when the vehicle will be turned over to the Army for a year of field testing.
“The Colorado ZH2 is a terrific example of GM’s engineering and design skill in creating an off-road vehicle relevant to a range of potential users,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Activities. “Over the next year, we expect to learn from the Army the limits of what a fuel cell propulsion system can do when really put to the test.”
The Colorado ZH2 contract is GM’s second vehicle development with a U.S military branch announced this year. In June, the U.S. Navy unveiled a GM fuel cell-powered Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) that is currently in pool testing before eventual deployment. The UUV leverages GM fuel cell technology common with the Colorado ZH2, demonstrating the flexibility to power a range of mobile and stationary devices.
GM has accumulated 3.1 million miles of hydrogen fuel cell testing via Project Driveway, a 119-vehicle fleet driven by more than 5,000 people in a multi-year fuel cell experience program.
General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) on Monday (Oct. 3) revealed the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle, a concept that marries fuel cell technology and its advantages of on-board water production, exportable electric power and near silent operation with extreme off-road capability.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle uses hydrogen as a fuel to power the truck based on Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. The rear of the vehicle contains an Exportable Power Takeoff unit, capable of providing 25kw to 50kw of electric power away from the vehicle. General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) revealed the vehicle at the fall meeting of the Association of U.S. Army show in Washington, D.C. on Monday (Oct. 3).
Top view of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle shows the partial camouflage wrap and power dome. General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) revealed the vehicle at the fall meeting of the Association of U.S. Army show in Washington, D.C. on Monday (Oct. 3).
Despite military-like front lights, the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle was developed with the off-road market, not specifically the military, in mind, General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) collaborated on the vehicle, which went from contract to completion in a year.
Under the power dome hood of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle, the fuel cell system that has accumulated 3.1 million miles of real-world driving by civilian and military operators is ready for a year of extreme off-road testing as a U.S. Army demonstrator. General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) revealed the vehicle at the fall meeting of the Association of U.S. Army show in Washington, D.C. on Monday (Oct. 3).
Inside the rear hatch of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle is an Electric Power Takeoff unit, capable of providing 25kw of consistent electric power away from the vehicle, such as remote locations where electric power may otherwise be unavailable.
The ZH2 badge on the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle in prominently featured on the fenders behind the front wheels. The truck will be used as a U.S. Army demonstrator to evaluate on-board water production, exportable electric power and near silent operation married with extreme off-road capability.
Integrated tow hooks and winch in the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle are featured for use when aggressive pulling is needed.
The 2+2 interior of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle features Recaro seats.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle is a conventionally driven truck powered by hydrogen that is converted to electricity through a fuel cell system.
