General Motors announced they are working with the the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC) to convert a conventional Chevy Colorado pickup truck to a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Then the Army is going to test this one-off Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Cell for 12 months and report on its performance.

This joint project is a match made in heaven, as fuel cell technology is an important part of future plans for both GM and the U.S. Military. What’s more, GM and TARDEC have fuel cell development and research facilities located 20 minutes apart in Pontiac and Warren, Michigan. So it only made sense for them to join forces for a project that would benefit both parties.

The Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Cell will run on a commercial hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. That means the research vehicle has real production values for GM. By basing their HFC systems on commercial units, the Army, too, can reduce the cost of development for their own systems. Hydrogen Fuel Cell has many benefits for both military and civilian users, such as very high low-end torque capability useful in off-road environments, exportable electric power and quiet operation.

“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,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM’s Global Fuel Cell Engineering activities.