The Army’s New Electric Pickup Will Eat Your Prius

The Chevy Colorado ZH2 is reporting for duty

October 4, 2016 9:00 am

A favorite tactic of military commanders from George Washington to William Wallace, the element of surprise remains as useful today as it was in 1776.

Thing is, it’s kind of difficult to get the drop on an enemy when you’re using a three-ton military pickup that stands 6.5 feet tall and measures seven feet wide like the Chevy Colorado ZH2.

Unless of course, that truck happens to have an electric engine — like the Chevy Colorado ZH2.

Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that makes it much quieter and cooler than its gas- and diesel-powered peers, the ZH2 can run stealth missions without showing up on thermal imaging.

A collaboration between GM and the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the off-road truck’s hydrogen cells can be used to power other devices and pieces of equipment in remote areas where electric power is unavailable.

In addition to those advantages, the 174-HP vehicle’s hydrogen cells and electric drivetrain provide high wheel torque at all speeds and leave behind just one byproduct: water.

“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,” said TARDEC director Paul Rogers.

Zero emissions, zero F’s given.

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