GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center are going to reveal a Chevrolet Colorado-based fuel cell EV in October.
The vehicle is being developed under agreement between TARDEC and GM and enables the U.S. Army to access public automotive technology for use in military applications while providing GM with feedback on non-standard fuel cell technology applications.
The new vehicle will be used to demonstrate the capabilities of fuel cell powertrains and power generation systems when applied for military purposes, including quieter mobility, exportable power generation, low-end torque and water generation.
”Hydrogen fuel cells as a power source have the potential to bring to the force incredibly valuable capabilities,” said TARDEC Director Paul Rogers. “We expect the vehicle to be quiet in operation and ready to provide electricity generation for needs away from the vehicle. With fuel cell technology advancing, it’s an ideal time to investigate its viability in extreme military-use conditions.
“Fuel cell propulsion has low-end torque capability that is useful in an off-road environment,” Rogers said. “It also offers additional characteristics attractive to both commercial and military off-road use.”
None of the vehicle’s figures have been released yet with the U.S. Army focusing mainly on the powertrain technology and its capabilities, regardless of the platform.
“This project is another example of how fuel cell propulsion can play a role in non-traditional applications,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM’s Global Fuel Cell Activities. “We need to continue pursuing these opportunities along with our plans for production of a commercial fuel cell system in the 2020 time frame.”
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