The 2022 Hummer EV is unveiled by General Motors

2022 Hummer EV: GMC unveiled the 2022 Hummer EV, which will be the first GMC-branded vehicle powered by electricity, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new vehicle comes with four versions, two crossovers, one pickup truck and one sport utility vehicle (SUV). All are capable of driving in total silence, since the 2022 Hummer EV does not come with an internal combustion engine.

Unveiling 2022 GMC Hummer EV:

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is one of a new generation of green vehicles coming to market, although it retains elements of its namesake. The arrival date coincides with that of many more hybrids and electric-powered heavy trucks on dealers’ lots, an example being other vehicles introduced by Ford Motor Company and Nissan Motors in recent months. These include Chevy’s all-electric trucks powered entirely by electricity stored in either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. This gives vehicles like those from GMC a unique opportunity because when electricity becomes dominant, their instant torque could improve towing and hauling capability over even the strongest diesel-powered heavy duties. Zero-emission vans and trucks produce zero pollution, making them great for the environment.

2022 Hummer EV Fuel Economy:

It’s no secret that fuel economy remains one of GMC’s top priorities when it comes to passenger cars and SUVs. However, until now they have not been able to compete with diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks. Now they can. Based on GMC’s new light-duty hybrid system, which we profiled in a previous post, 2022 GMC Hummer EVs will benefit from instant torque, much like their counterparts in passenger cars and SUVs. This will improve hauling capacity and reduce emissions compared to even diesel trucks on today’s market.

Safety Features of 2022 Hummer EV:

As expected, GMC is making several safety features standard on its new 2022 Hummer models including lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The latter two features come courtesy of a forward-facing camera that can read and track objects. For example, if there’s a stopped vehicle ahead and you don’t apply your brakes, it will automatically do so for you to prevent an accident. Similarly, with adaptive cruise control, the forward-facing camera will be able to tell how fast another vehicle is going and slow your own down accordingly to maintain a safe distance from it. Lane keeping assistance will also aid in preventing accidents by sending an alert when you drift over into another lane without signaling or move towards one of your blind spots at too high of a speed.

Powertrain Details:

Towing and hauling capability over even the strongest diesel-powered heavy duties.. The 2022 GMC will use an electric motor to drive each rear wheel as well as one for auxiliary purposes. In order to deliver optimal performance and endurance to all operating modes including 4×4 mode, traction batteries with more than twice their current capacity will be developed. The 2022 GMC is expected to have a 0-60 time of less than 5 seconds powered by 100kWh battery packs that contain over 6 MWh of energy capacity.

Off-Road Capability:

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV will be offered with only two-wheel drive, but it could potentially be available with an optional off-road package that adds a locking differential and traction control to help improve grip on softer surfaces. GMC says they’re still looking into what features might come included in their optional off-road package, but they say there’s one feature that definitely won’t be making its way into any of their future trucks: All-Wheel Drive. The automaker claims that even though it does offer certain trucks an added level of control and safety on wet or icy roads, most drivers would rarely ever use them for more than these few conditions. This gives automakers like GMC an opportunity to optimize efficiency by cutting out a weighty feature from most of their vehicles.

Payload and Towing:

A single electric motor drives each of GMC’s new heavy-duty trucks. In contrast to current setups, where each front or rear axle uses its own driveline, a single set of gears at each axle—with electronic shifting managed by an on-board computer—provides far more flexibility in setting up different payload and towing configurations. The computer also allows for more torque to be provided as needed. For example, with a full load behind it, a diesel-powered truck can generate 1,200 lb.-ft. (1,600 Nm) of torque through its rear drive shaft.

Hummer EV Edition 1:

The limited-edition model won’t go into production until 2022 but represents GMC’s first attempt at leveraging its legacy brand for a new generation of truck buyers. GMC is also exploring whether to develop an all-electric version of its recently revealed next-generation heavy duty, though that program is still in its infancy. Most striking about Edition 1 is its bodywork. The grille, side vents and bed are finished in matte black while nearly every other part of the body wears satin chrome finish. Even Edition 1’s headlamps sport clear lenses with their characteristic H emblem picked out in red to tie them into those found on recent light trucks like Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD vehicles with special trim packages that invoke a similar visual effect.

How Much Does it Cost?

Touting its all-electric, zero-emissions powertrain as part of a bid to broaden its appeal beyond showroom-bound leisure drivers, GMC released pricing for its redesigned H2 model today. With standard packages and options, most buyers will find that an electric H2 retails for about $75,000—about $30K more than a comparable diesel version. That figure is just shy of what it cost to purchase an original Hummer back in 1992. Then again, unlike old military vehicles that might require extensive retrofitting before entering civilian life and road use, there’s no required modification for converting a new H2 into an all-electric design because all internal combustion engine parts have been removed.

Key Competitors:

One direct competitor, Tesla Motors, has been producing electric vehicles since 2009. (Though they’re more expensive than their diesel-powered counterparts.) In addition to the immediate impact that widespread adoption of EVs could have on GMC sales, there’s also a risk that drivers will grow so accustomed to instant torque that they won’t buy gasoline trucks in any significant number. Many smaller truck companies have already started producing hybrid versions of their largest diesel trucks. If no one buys gas versions by 2025, it’s unlikely GMC would be able to justify continued investment in internal combustion engines.