Colorado ZH2 Gives Us a Glimpse of the Future
Chevy is paving the way for hydrogen cars…and stealth tanks.
Late last year Chevy made a pretty huge splash when it showed off the ZR2 version of the Colorado, making the best midsize truck on the market a true off-road conqueror. Then GM took it a step further and unveiled the one-off ZH2. If you missed the news last fall, the ZH2 is a hydrogen fuel cell truck that was built for military use, and it’s based on the ZR2. Since then, the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) took possession of the ZH2 and started some rigorous testing. Our friends at Motor Authority got a chance to go for a ride and had a lot to say.
So far it seems the ZH2 is a pretty capable machine. During testing at Fort Carson in Colorado, the ZH2 is still ticking after months of abuse. Some of the high points so far include the instant torque of the electric motor, and the ability to produce excess electricity. Currently, the military uses large diesel generators to produce enough power to use some of their larger communications equipment. Being able to power that with fuel cells cuts noise, exhaust fumes and complexity. As for the instant torque, that makes climbing treacherous terrain at low speeds even easier. Instant torque also means quicker escapes if the need arises.
But the real reason TARDEC is interested in this technology has nothing to do with being environmentally friendly, and it’s not about ditching extra diesel generators. This test is all about stealth, and the future of silent warfare.
Related: 2017 Colorado ZR2 Review: Chevy Lays Down the Gauntlet
You see, the inherent nature of a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle means that it makes no noise, and produces nothing but trace amounts of water. That makes it very hard for enemies to hear or smell you coming. Without fuel exploding in an engine and hot exhaust pipes to worry about, the ZH2 also has a very minimal heat signature. That makes it almost invisible to infrared cameras.
TARDEC is not testing the coolest Chevy Colorado in the world. It’s testing the technology that could make stealth tanks possible.
There are still a lot of problems to solve. For starters, getting hydrogen fuel to troops can be problematic. Even at Fort Carson, the closest fueling location is well over an hour away. Secondly, hydrogen is quite volatile. The ZH2 features lots of extra protection for its hydrogen tank, and it’s designed so that it will vent upward and away from passengers in the event of an emergency. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact the hydrogen tank is basically a bomb in the back.
Regardless, a stealth tank is cool, a hydrogen fuel cell Colorado is cool, and the military teaming up with Chevy to advance hydrogen technology is cool. We’re just sad we didn’t get the chance to take it for a spin ourselves.
