FCV-equipped Chevrolet made for military use debuts in Vegas
General Motors has showcased its new fuel cell equipped Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The vehicle was developed specifically for military use, with a shell made largely of carbon-fibre reinforced with Kevlar. Beyond this, the vehicle features a fuel cell system that can generate 50 kW power at peak performance, emitting only water vapour and oxygen. It is also equipped with a 117 horsepower electric motor which is entirely powered by its fuel cell system.

New fuel cell system is being used in the Colorado ZH2

General Motors recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the world’s first fuel cell vehicle. The company produced this vehicle in 1966. Called the Electrovan, the car represented the first time a hydrogen fuel cell was equipped to a consumer vehicle. Since then, General Motors has accumulated more than 3 million miles worth of testing on fuel cell transportation. The automaker’s Chevrolet division has continued experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells and recently showcased its new Colorado ZH2 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

New vehicle has been designed for the military

The new vehicle was developed specifically for military use, capable of traveling in hostile territory while keeping its passengers safe. As such, much of the Colorado ZH2 is comprised of carbon fiber and reinforced with Kevlar. Beyond this, however, the vehicle makes use of very promising technology. The Colorado ZH2 features a fuel cell system that can, at peak performance, generate 50 kilowatts of electrical power. The only emissions that the vehicle produces are water vapor and oxygen.

Colorado ZH2 makes use of an innovative fuel cell system and storage solution

The Colorado ZH2 is also equipped with a 117 horsepower electric motor, which is entirely powered by its fuel cell system. The hydrogen that the vehicle uses is stored in three cylindrical tanks, which are located at the front of the vehicle’s bed area. Refilling these fuel tanks takes only 3 to 5 minutes. The fuel cell system that Chevrolet has developed for the vehicle is currently copyright-protected under the name “Hydrotec,” which is what the automaker is calling its new, promising technology.

Automakers continue to make use of hydrogen fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells are not new to the transportation space. Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai have already been using this technology to power a new generation of clean transportation. This technology is also not foreign to the military space, where they have been used to provide reliable electrical power in remote locations.