Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel-cell truck for the US Army

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This beast of a truck is the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, a fuel-cell-powered off-road machine that was revealed at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).

It’s not just a showcar. General Motors and the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) collaborated to develop the Colorado ZH2 from contract to concept in less than a year. The US Army will test the truck in extreme field conditions next year to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions.

“The speed with which innovative ideas can be demonstrated and assessed is why relationships with industry are so important to the Army. 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,” said Paul Rogers, director of TARDEC, America’s lab for advanced military automotive technology.

The US Army will evaluate the ZH2 for near-silent operation (enabling silent watch capability), reduced acoustic and thermal signatures, high torque at all speeds via electric drive, low fuel consumption across operating range and water by-product for field uses.

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GM and TARDEC have fuel cell development labs located 32 km apart in 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 imposing truck stands more than six and a half feet tall and more than seven feet wide. It was built on a stretched US-market Colorado chassis, reinforced in and out, and rides on 37-inch tyres and modified suspension. The 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 be unavailable.

The Colorado ZH2 contract is GM’s second vehicle development with a US military branch announced this year. In June, the US 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 tech’s flexibility to power a range of mobile and stationary devices.

GM says that it has accumulated five million km 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 programme.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Mean machine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Encik Kunta on Oct 04, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    wow, so much of research. What does our 1000 over engineers in Proton do?

    Even engines, we are rebadging. Besides Campro, I hope our engineers do some work at office. Cannot lepak in office and get high pay like this lah.

    Until now, even hybrid also tak ada, what more EV car. Don’t even talk about fuel cell lah

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 15
    • Junzz on Oct 04, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      Dude. Do some reality check lah. They dont have big budget nor advanced tool.to do such RnD. All the proton profit mostly goes political scum n crony. Actually proton engineer very innovative though. Can make proton own version of engine and proton supreme handling system they can derive out from lotus. If all the resources are enough, i believe they can make huge difference in world auto industry

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • 4G63T DSM on Oct 04, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Hydrogen and things that go boom usually don’t get along very well.

    But good try though.

    Looks like a toughened up Isuzu Vehicross

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • AkooIm on Oct 04, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    So meaning that US imperialisme are not ending anytime soon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • superdriver on Oct 04, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    looks extremely badass..I want one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Mikey on Oct 04, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    The US is just showing their technologies to the world that they have what it takes to lead in fuel cells & in particular the car/truck/army truck & some fancy name called ZH2 features an Exportable Power Take-Off unit (EPTO).

    Basically, it is good to know that the US can actually make vehicle that is environmental friendly other than Big guzzling cars/trucks.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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