Chevrolet Reveals the Colorado ZH2 Fuel-Cell Concept

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle (Credit: © Chevrolet )

Chevrolet is looking to get into military-grade automobiles, and it just released a concept that it’s hoping to make a reality (or at least its powertrain) for the U.S. military. Folks, meet the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2.

So, what makes this rig so special that it debuted at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army? Well, not only does it look downright badass, but it is also going to pilot hydrogen fuel-cell use in the military. While the details remain a secret, this model will use hydrogen to create electricity, which will, in turn, move this pickup almost in complete silence.

Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle (Credit: © Chevrolet )

If the general look of this truck seems eerily familiar, it should. This pickup is based on the Colorado, but Chevy stretched the platform in prepping it for military use. At the end of the day, this beast stands 6 ½ feet tall and more than 7 feet wide. Much of that height is owed to the mammoth 37-inch tires under this pickup.

Of course, the ZH2 has a modified suspension for taking on all sorts of terrain that the military encounters. Additionally, it features an Exportable Power Take-Off unit that allows soldiers to take power from the fuel cell to remote locations, like a camp or bunker.

Over time, the U.S. military will test the Colorado ZH2’s fuel-cell system to see if it is a viable option for use in battle. The military will test its near-silent capabilities, reduced thermal and acoustic signatures, torque, fuel consumption, and water by-product (exhaust) uses in the field.

Chevrolet plans to continue testing the pickup at its Milford Proving Ground until early 2017. Once testing and calibration are complete, Chevy will release the ZH2 to the U.S. military for its brutal field testing.

We’ll bring you updates on its status, as they become available.