General Motors (GM) and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) will unveil a Chevrolet fuel cell electric vehicle in October at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army, in Washington, D.C.

The vehicle is being developed under an agreement signed in 2015 between TARDEC and GM. The collaboration enables TARDEC to access consumer-driven automotive technology for use in military applications while providing GM with feedback on non-standard fuel cell-technology applications.

The U.S. Army intends to conduct user assessments and demonstrations in 2017 of its soon-to-be-unveiled fuel cell electric vehicle. Image credit: U.S. Army.The Army says it will use the vehicle to demonstrate the capabilities a fuel cell electric powertrain can bring to the military, including quieter mobility, exportable power generation, low-end torque and water generation. The Army intends to conduct user assessments and demonstrations in 2017.

"Hydrogen fuel cells as a power source have the potential to bring to the force incredibly valuable capabilities," TARDEC Director Paul Rogers says. "We expect the vehicle to be quiet in operation and ready to provide electricity generation for needs away from the vehicle. With fuel cell technology advancing, it's an ideal time to investigate its viability in extreme military-use conditions."

While fuel cell propulsion has low-end torque capability that is useful in an off-road environment, Rogers says the vehicle will not succeed the Humvee in the field.