Two years ago, GM told the world that it was working on a new, experimental vehicle for the U.S. Army. GM based this new military truck on the Colorado, but replaced its gas- or diesel-burning powertrains with a quiet, cold hydrogen fuel stack. Add in some military hardware and some unique stuff, and we had the Colorado ZH2. Now, though, newly-created GM Defense has unveiled a new concept for a hydrogen truck, kicked up a size: the Silverado ZH2.
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GM Defense lists the Silverado ZH2 as its latest innovation on its website, but doesn’t really talk about it. According to a GM spokesperson talking to Motor Authority, the only reason the Silverado ZH2 is on their website it because GM Defense displayed it at the 2018 Association of the U.S. Army meeting. Unfortunately, she declined to share more information. Based on the video, though, we can see some of the details on the concept.
Photo: GM Defense
First, the taillights are now horizontal, mirroring the headlights. It of course uses a Hydrotec fuel cell engine, which is GM’s brand name for its hydrogen powertrains. It also has a battery pack marked “Jouletec.”
Photo: GM Defense
This name also shows up on the GM Defense website as the brand’s name for its battery technology.
Photo: GM Defense
The next part of the video appears to be referencing the fuel conversion to operate the Silverado ZH2 and what looks like a fleet of the GM Defense SURUS concept vehicle. This isn’t new information—when GM revealed the Colorado ZH2, it discussed an advantage of being able to convert jet fuel into hydrogen to power the truck.
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Photo: GM Defense
Next, the body panels are clearly different (plus it now has double hood scoops), and the Silverado ZH2 concept sports a Multimatic Dynamic Suspension. It looks like the Silverado ZH2 is using some off-road adaptations, showing off a skid plate and some tow hooks as it comes over a hill.
Photo: GM Defense
This is followed by a possible upfit as a medical rescue vehicle, and as it passes us, we get a look at a tailgate with an opening in the middle and a tank of something bolted to it.
Photo: GM Defense
Another intriguing thing comes as we pan over the Silverado ZH2—what are those things on the roof? More than anything, they remind me of the sensors on top of self-driving cars, so it’s possible that like the SURUS, the Silverado ZH2 will have at least some ability to pilot itself.
Photo: GM Defense
Here, we see a rendering of the Silverado ZH2 in the snow, with some sort of unit in the bed. While I haven’t a clue what it could be, it is the same color as the ZH2’s body panels, so maybe it is a similar system to the mobile power unit on the Colorado ZH2.
Photo: GM Defense
On the other hand, as we move into the final shot of the video, it looks like a similar unit is sitting on a flatbed version of the Silverado ZH2 that looks a lot like a camera.
Photo: GM Defense
Of course, the Silverado ZH2 is still a concept, so there is no guarantee it will go to production. Still, the idea of a hydrogen Silverado is intriguing.
News Sources: Motor Authority, GM Defense
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