General Motors has transformed its Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickup truck into a battle-ready hybrid.
Revealed at the prestigious annual gathering of the Association of the United States, a milestone development has taken center stage. Here is the rewritten text:
The General Motors (GM) Subsequent Generation tactical vehicle prototype draws inspiration from the rugged, off-road-capable Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2. Despite being substituted for traditional gasoline or diesel V-8 engines in civilian vehicles, this tactical truck instead features a compact 2.8-liter turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a robust 12-module battery pack and electric motors driving both the front and rear axles.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2
The GM’s brief outline of the mission shares similarities with the plug-in hybrid setup found in the discontinued Chevrolet Volt, where the internal combustion engine serves as a power generator for electric motors that augment the vehicle’s primary propulsion. The system could potentially integrate propulsion elements to create a hybrid offering.
If we assume these modules are identical large-format pouch-cell modules, similar to those previously referred to as Ultium by GM, this battery pack could potentially offer approximately the same 102-kwh capacity, enabling a vehicle to travel more than 100 miles on electric power alone, even in a rugged and heavy-duty armored army truck.
Although General Motors abandoned hybrid vehicles several years ago, the company recently announced its intention to revive production of plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The electric powertrain confers numerous advantages, aligning with corporate objectives, including the ability to surreptitiously enter and exit hazardous zones, and a significantly reduced thermal signature, rendering the vehicle more difficult to detect. The incorporation of a diesel engine in this vehicle simplifies logistics, as it enables the truck to utilize existing military fueling infrastructure when charging facilities are unavailable, according to GM.
Next-Generation Tactical Vehicle Prototype for General Motors Protection
The battery-powered pack enables it to function as a power source for accessories, while the truck retains most of its standard features, including anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control, and a comprehensive 360-degree camera system. Available in a range of seat configurations, including two-seat, four-seat, and six-seat options.
General Motors has attempted to adapt some of its existing electric vehicle technologies for military applications. In 2021, the automaker outlined plans to build prototype models of an all-electric military vehicle inspired by the GMC Hummer EV, with a concept model unveiled in 2023. Twelve months ago, General Motors revealed that it was providing batteries to the US military for research purposes, with a primary focus on energy storage rather than electric vehicles.
