GM, U.S. Army developing hydrogen fuel cell pickup
General Motors is teaming up with the United States Army to convert a Chevrolet Colorado pickup to a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV).
GM and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) are modifying a Colorado to run on a commercial hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, where it will then be exposed "to the extremes of daily military use" for a full calendar year.
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"Hydrogen fuel cell technology is important to GM's advanced propulsion portfolio, and this enables us to put our technology to the test in a vehicle that will face punishing military duty cycles," GM fuel cell engineering executive director Charlie Freese said in a statement.
Fuel cell propulsion has very high low-end torque capability, while offering exportable electric power and quiet operation, which GM called "attractive characteristics" to commercial and military customers.
"The potential capabilities hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can bring to the (military) are extraordinary, and our engineers and scientists are excited about the opportunity to exercise the limits of this demonstrator," said TARDEC director Paul Rogers in the statement from GM.
"FCVs are very quiet vehicles, which scouts, special operators and other specialties place a premium. What's more, fuel cells generate water as a by-product, something extremely valuable in austere environments."
GM and TARDEC have fuel cell development and research facilities located 20 minutes apart in Pontiac and Warren, Mich.
The two collaborate to evaluate new fuel cell designs and materials, and TARDEC's state-of-the-art facility enables it to test and integrate fuel cell systems it has been developing for more than a decade.
Additional product details and specific vehicle timing will be announced later, according to GM.