Modified midsize pickup
goes into extreme military field testing in 2017
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
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