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Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Is The Tough New Military Truck With Fuel Cell Power

Chevrolet, General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have revealed their brainchild today. This is the large and in charge Chevrolet Colorado ZH2.

We say large and in charge because the Colorado ZH2 sits six and a half feet tall and seven feet wide, as it was purposely built on a stretched midsize pickup chassis. 37-inch tires and a unique suspension help the Colorado ZH2 maneuver its way over nearly any terrain. It’s a pretty damn big truck.

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle 02

As promised, GM will hand the Colorado ZH2 over to the U.S. Army to conduct daunting field condition tests, as the army begins to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles for its military fleet. In exchange, GM receives valuable data from real-world fuel cell dependability testing.

The U.S. 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

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle 07

GM and TARDEC moved quickly, bringing this Colorado ZH2 from sketch to life in just one year after finally being assembled in GM’s Advanced Vehicle Integration facility in Warren. Final testing for the ZH2 will continue at the Milford Proving Grounds in 2017 before the pickup is officially handed over to the U.S. Army.

The most innovative function of the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 is its EPTO, or Exportable Power Take-Off unit. This allows the fuel cell to power all sorts of activities away from the vehicle itself. That could be especially beneficial to military personnel, where electricity may not be readily available.

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle 12

We don’t know if any of the design traits seen on the ZH2 will influence future Chevrolet pickup trucks, but we wouldn’t be upset if the ZH2’s menacing face trickled down to say, a Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.

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Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Holy $h*t…

    Reply
  2. Make a Gas or Diesel version as a Chevy or GMC and market it as the new smaller Hummer even at a higher price this would sell.

    This is the kind of truck would make for a nice change from the paint and decal packages.

    The owner could truly say “I am here to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I am all out of gum”.

    Reply
  3. what is the range, will the fuel cell leave me empty behind enemy lines? as far as noise goes, a lot of the newer gas engines with harmonic tuned dampening are loads quieter than electric. When I was in Europe, the flippin’ opel was a lot quieter with a three cylinder than that electric wine of a Toyota auris hybrid. The opel even was under half the price

    Reply
  4. Wow, that is actually exciting. I hope this vehicle proves to be of great value for U.S. armed forces. I wonder if it could handle an armor package?
    It looks incredible. What are the “vents” just behind the rear doors for? Also, is there a rear window?

    Reply

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