Fuel-cell Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 - Purpose-built for the U.S. Army

[68_427]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The physically imposing Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, the most extreme off-road-capable fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle ever from General Motors, was revealed today at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).

Standing more than 6½ feet tall and more than seven feet wide, the Colorado ZH2 was built on a stretched midsize pickup chassis. Reinforced inside and out, the ZH2 rides on 37-inch tires and a specially modified suspension that helps the vehicle climb over and descend all manner of terrain.

The U.S. Army will test the Colorado ZH2 in extreme field conditions next year to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions.

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 Colorado 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.

About General Motors

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

About TARDEC

Headquartered at the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, TARDEC is a major research, development and engineering center for the Army Materiel Command's Research, Development and Engineering Command and an enterprise partner in the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. TARDEC is the Nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology and serves as the Ground Systems Integrator for all Defense Department manned and unmanned ground vehicle systems. With roots dating back to the World War II era, TARDEC develops and integrates the right technology solutions to improve current force effectiveness and provides superior capabilities for future force integration. More information can be found at http://tardec.army.mil

Fuel cell tech is not dead yet.

[AutobahnSHO]

Fuel cell tech is not dead yet.

However it could cost an arm and a leg, but because some doofus macho thinks this looks cool, they'll sink a bazillion taxpayer dollars into buying lots of them before they realize it was a bad idea....

[giant_mtb]

Good thing it can climb anything since you'll never see it over that hood.

[RomanChariot]

Reduced visibility in all directions was a top priority for the military. It likely comes with an infrared camera system to compensate.

[MrH]

The back end looks like when you scratch a cat's back right ahead of its tail and it raises their ass in the air.

[CaminoRacer]

Racing harnesses and an ignition key = not a real military vehicle

[AutobahnSHO]

2013, Army was supposed to add 90k+ electric vehicles
http://www.climatechangenews.com/2013/11/07/us-military-to-spend-2-4-billion-on-electric-vehicles-by-2020/

2010 they started buying these
https://www.army.mil/article/36128/electric-vehicles-help-post-go-army-green-army-strong
"With a top speed of 25 mph, the NEVs have a range of up to 30 miles on a charge and are ideal for short-distance travel, especially around Army installations"

And I can't find a link now but remember reading they were paying $30k+ EACH for them:



There was also a 2door flatbed truck version.

[shp4man]

That's for sure a vehicle designed for recruiting purposes, not really a "military vehicle".

[Payman]

The back end looks like when you scratch a cat's back right ahead of its tail and it raises their ass in the air.

Hahaha perfect. But fuck yeah I'd love one with a 600hp LS, painted matte black.

[MX793]

Racing harnesses and an ignition key = not a real military vehicle

Not all military vehicles are tactical.  And some tactical vehicles use 4-point harnesses.

[AutobahnSHO]

And some tactical vehicles use 4-point harnesses.

which ones?

[MX793]

which ones?

Some of the newer, armored vehicles use 4 or 5 point harnesses.  MRAPs and FMTVs.

[AutobahnSHO]

Some of the newer, armored vehicles use 4 or 5 point harnesses.  MRAPs and FMTVs.

huh, hadn't seen those seatbelts yet.

[MX793]

huh, hadn't seen those seatbelts yet.

They aren't necessarily "Simpson" branded belts, but they do use 4-point setups.