General Motors Makes Fuel Cell Pickup Truck for U.S. Military

New Silverado FCV Boasts 317 LB-FT of Torque!

While HUMVEEs (Hummer H1s) are the most commonly seen military vehicles on CNN's coverage of Iraq, the U.S. military also uses

GM and the U.S. Army have announce that they're partnering to test the world's first fuel cell-powered pickup truck to be put into military service. (Photo: General Motors)

pickup trucks for the same reasons the vehicle-type is popular for civilian duty. But General Motors, already a supplier to the Army and other military divisions, has something special in store with its latest delivery.

It seems that the same problems which face off-roaders, getting as far as possible into the woods on a tank of gas or diesel, cause issues for the the military, and GM's new fuel cell truck has aims on being the solution.

GM and the U.S. Army have announce that they're partnering to test the world's first fuel cell-powered pickup truck to be put into military service. The specially fitted Chevy Silverado features two 94 kW fuel cell

GM's new fuel cell truck will give the U.S. Military greater range in the field. (Photo: General Motors)

stacks, which are capable of generating 188 kW and 317 lb-ft of torque. This is approximately the same output as generated by GM's 5.3-litre V8 engine.

GM delivered the new crew cab truck to the Army at its research facility outside of Rochester, NY, where the fuel cell drive system was developed. Its new owner won't be putting the Silverado FCV into military action, but rather will use it for delivery purposes at a Virginia base until July of next year.

While no civilian Silverado FCV will be made available at this time, Chevy might want to consider adopting the Army's stylish paint scheme for a special edition truck.