The Hummer EV First Edition sold out… even though it doesn’t exist yet
The mad rush to get one
As Tesla has experienced with all of its new models and Ford saw with the Mach-E, a well-designed and featured EV can attract attention—and orders. GM won’t say how many Edition 1 models it will produce (rumor set the number at 1,000), but said the allotment is fully reserved. The follow-up models are also gathering some reservations. Here are the details on them and their launch schedule:
GM said half of its Buick-GMC dealers have signed up to carry the Hummer brand, which will eventually expand to other configurations like an SUV. Dealers have to add tools to work on the Hummer and install DC fast-charging stations. According to GM president Mark Reuss those dealers also have agreed to follow no-haggle prices on the Hummer.
The Hummer EV will be built at GM’s revamped Hamtramck plant, which is now dedicated to building EVs and has been renamedFactory Zeroafter a $2.2 billion investment. In addition to the Hummer, the Cruise Origin autonomous shuttle will be the initial vehicle built there.
The exploding electric truck market
When the Hummer arrives late next year it will be joining a growing contingent of electric pickups. GM’s Chevrolet Division has an electric version of its Silverado pickup due next year as well. Similarly, Ford will have a fully electric F-150 that year.
Those conventional pickups will be challenged by at least two newcomers—theRivian R1Tand theTesla Cybertruck,both of which have promised to be on the market in 2021. The Lordstown Endurance is also expected to appear around the same time.
Hummer doesn’t have a lock on the muscle truck part of the market, either, as Ford’s already show a prototype of its electric pickup towing a train, Tesla’s bragged about its three-motor system’s prowess and Rivian has put out extensive videos of its pickup tearing up off-road trails.
All of these manufacturers will be carving up a market segment that currently exists only as reservations, although the cumulative number of those is impressive (in the 100,000s).
More Hummer EV details
The Hummer will break a lot of ground for GM as it will be the first EV to use the new Ultium batteries in a 24-module double-stacked skateboard chassis. The cabin is dominated by two screens—a 12.3-inch one in front of the driver and the 13.4-inch center display. The “frunk,” a storage compartment in the front of the pickup where a conventional model’s engine would be, is designed to easily carry the four removable glass roof panels.
While 35-inch tires are standard, the wheelwells are designed to accommodate 37-inch tires without modifications. The underbody has steel plates designed to protect the battery pack. Off-road “widgets” will display vehicle functions and terrain status, including torque output, differential locker engagement, tire pressure, pitch and roll angles (including maximum values), a drift gauge (with maximum values), friction circle, torque vectoring and more.
So when Led Zepplin sing that the hammer of the gods is coming, GM engineers and designers clearly want you to interpret that as the Hummer of the gods. They’re aiming this pickup be the overlord mentioned in the song, capable of conquering any obstacle placed in its path. Their ambition is not just earth-bound as the Hummer has several Easter eggs hinting that mere terrestrial objects are just the starting point. The dead pedal is a replica of Neil Armstrong’s first footprint on the moon and a map of the Seat of Tranquility. I guess you can interpret this that either the Hummer EV is GM’s moonshot—or just that they think the truck is “out of this world.”
We’ll find out more next year when they build a few and let us get behind the wheel.
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Story byClean Fleet Report
Clean Fleet Report gives its readers the information they need to move to cars and trucks with best fuel economy, including electric cars, f(show all)Clean Fleet Report gives its readers the information they need to move to cars and trucks with best fuel economy, including electric cars, fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and advanced diesel and gasoline engines.
Beyond that we help readers to cut their transportation expenses by reviewing advances in sustainable transportation including public transit, high-speed rail, car sharing, ride-hailing and microtransit. We also cover alternative fuels, biofuels and infrastructure development, including the commercial sector where electric trucks are beginning to make inroads. We aim to be your one-stop place for learning about efficient transportation.
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