The US Army is to test GM’s Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 off-road fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle in extreme field conditions next year to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions.
GM and the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center collaborated on the development of the vehicle from contract to concept, which took less than a year.
The Colorado ZH2 features an exportable power take-off unit that allows the fuel cell to power activity away from the vehicle, such as remote locations where electric power may otherwise be unavailable.
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, and water by-product for field uses.
Calibration testing at GM’s Milford Proving Ground will continue into early 2017, before the vehicle is turned over to the army for a year of field testing.
October 13, 2016
