US ARMY’S STEALTH OFFROADER

4x4magazine | 05/10/2016 | 0 Comments

The physically imposing Chevrolet Colorado ZH₂, the most extreme off-road-capable fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle ever was revealed yesterday 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. It rides on 37-inch tires and a specially modified suspension that helps the vehicle climb over and descend all manner of terrain.

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.

“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 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.