For those who may be unaware, General Motors may be interested in re-releasing the iconic Hummer nameplate—as an EV.
We covered this story back in June, following rumors GM was indeed considering reintroduction of the Hummer nameplate as a new electric off-road brand. As we stated previously, such a creation could be seen as a direct rival to Rivian, with which GM had previously negotiated regarding a collaborative project that eventually fell through.
Then, just last week, additional rumors popped up suggesting an all-electric Hummer might find a home at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant, as outlined in a contract proposal between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union.
While rumors and speculation fail to provide concrete details, we do know that GM may consider both a pickup and SUV body style for the new electric Hummer brand, with the BT1 EV structure providing the bones.
While it’s unclear exactly what GM will end up doing, all this talk leaves us wondering: is an all-electric Hummer even a good idea?
Bollinger B1
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time EVs have ventured into the off-roader segment. The Bollinger B1 and B2 certainly fit the description, with simple, boxy bodies, tall ride heights and knobby all-terrain rubber, all of which is driven by battery power alone.
Then there’s all those other EV trucks headed down the line, like the Ford F-150 EV, the Rivian R1S/R1T and the Tesla pickup, not to mention the Workhorse pickup. Clearly, the EV segment is expanding, and rapidly at that.
So then, the question remains: should GM reintroduce Hummer as an all-electric brand? Take the poll and let us know, and don’t forget to post your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments
Yes, two birds with one stone; Hummer by GMC!
Stiff competition from Jeep & Rivian; must excel from both the electric and off-road fronts.
Creative packaging is must.
Come to think of it, I’m sure Ford’s new Bronco will be electric or at least offer all electric.
H2 hybrid or all electric if put together well beats the coming threats..
Yes as a high image vehicle like this could support the extra cost of EV tech and still make a profit.
As Lutz pointed out his mistake was to make Hummer a brand and not a unit of GMC. By doing so would make it more easy to make changes as needed and cheaper to do.
Doing the EV would help the rehabilitate the Hummer image in the general public. By doing that it could also give GMC the ability to add a fuel efficient ICE Wrangler challenger.
There is no down here as if it fails just pull the plug and GMC just moves on.
Better than trying to sell a $90k Tahoe that few would be interested in.
Not EV, would like to see hybrid hummers longer range etc.
Unless big truck flosser,
Not enough charging station , across this continent to really go anywhere besides getting groceries and beer. Imho.
Not yet at least.
gm should first try to sell a military spec version to the pentagon.
with their over bloated budgets, gm might actually make money on an EV for the first time in history.
The problem is where are the charging stations in Afghanistan?
Then if you run out of power chasing ISiS do you just tell them to wait as you charge?
You would need to do fuel cell power that may share some things like drive motors etc.
Then the cost may be a factor as these assets are not like planes and often get damaged or destroyed short term.
From a military standpoint, I bet they have the data already to tell them where they’ll need to install charging stations. That said, I suspect the biggest military advantage of an electrified vehicle without an internal combustion engine would be that these vehicles would be virtually invisible from heat signature detection…
Just the heat in the body from sitting in the sun would be enough to detect them.
Can’t take a golf cart onto the battlefield.
Great point bc you can over-charge the Military. There’s a long history backing up that fact. So, profit is good!
But where do they charge them in the middle of the Desert ? Generators?
is it any more difficult than trucking tankers full of gasoline to the middle of nowhere?
maybe you could charge a bank of batteries(charged by solar/wind/generators) at the base and swap them in/out as needed.
also, EVs are supposed to require less maintenance.
anyway, EVs in defense applications would present a great business opportunity. you are guaranteed a profit.
It is much more. Now they haul Jet fuel that can fuel Tanks, Choppers, Jets and trucks.
You are not going to haul batteries around and use windmills.
The only real EV solution for the battle field is Hydrogen Cell Power but even that is still very expensive.
Also refueling needs to be done fast and on the fly. As we saw with Patton in WWII you have to move fast and keep up and never stop. The battle of the Bulge was lost by Germany due to the lack of fuel as we cut off their supply and they could not keep moving.
Time and speed is a needed element in battle and EV is not either in recharging.
Battle of the Bulge was not solely lost due to supply lines, allies already had air superiority while the axis was low on all supplies including fuel and reinforcements…With recharging, the bigger the battery the faster it can recharge, the Tesla semi is promised some incredible charging speeds that are near that of a diesel refill…While its not yet in production, its a sign of things to come; charging will eventually be as fast as refilling with liquid fuel…
To generate enough power on the fly is not possible unless you have fueled generators. Solar and wind will not do it fast or quick. The enemy will not supply power and odds are plants would be taken out.
No doubt charging will get faster but you still need a ready supply that is easy and fast to move and keep up with the forces.
Till it is here electric and batteries are not viable.
Note too at the Bulge air support played a small role as the weather kept them grounded. That is why it was such a bloody and drawn out battle. Till the German tanks ran out to fuel did it change.
Now if you want to say the war was won on air support you would be correct.
Changing history does not make you right. I spent a lot of time with a man that survived the entire battle and understand well first hand what went on.
Zcat says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
October 25, 2019 at 9:53 am
Charging stations would also need to be protected 24/7. If not, just have the enemy blow them up and…ZAP. No more mobility.
It’s a long walk back to the USA, provided you’re not killed before you put on your desert sandals.
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/10/poll-should-gm-reintroduce-hummer-as-an-all-electric-brand/#ixzz63UmYtKds
Sorry, peeps.
GM Authority keeps trying to block my comments?
It finally went through.
So, I Apologize for copy and pasting trying to repost to get through their system?
Time to look at fuzzy pics to prove I’m not a robot ?
Charging stations would also need to be protected 24/7. If not, just have the enemy blow them up and…ZAP. No more mobility.
It’s a long walk back to the USA, provided you’re not killed before you put on your desert sandals.
Solar !!!
The main issue I see as problematic , Hummers already weigh more than a family of well-fed elephants!
Adding heavy batteries ????
Not sure about that.
Sorry. Just woke up and my brain is trying to transition into the day’s reality. I should probably comment when I become a little more coherent?
Or, not;)?
Think smaller than the old H2, but with a wrangler like SUV and small pickup variant built off it. Would love to see GM put its creativity to good use on this one. Time to ditch the styling cues necessitated by ICE vehicles. Who needs the long hood? Where could the batteries be placed to optimize both ground clearance as well as center of gravity? Keep the prices for these under $50K, build a 150k of them a year, and blow everyone away.
I really think they could have just done this with the Blazer/Trailblazer/Jimmy. This is exactly what Ford is doing with the Bronco. Building on their true heritage and legacy. I never cared for the GM Hummer though. It seemed like a cheap knockoff afterthought. Only the true military Humvee was ever of any interest to me. And I don’t think creating yet another brand and/or nameplate is smart. You have 4 brands already and at the next economic downturn they’ll be in panic mode figuring out what to do with all of them and their dealers. I get they’re trying to have their Jeep but only Jeep can accomplish that. Jeep however could never accomplish what the original Blazer would have had they properly revived it. I wish they’d just hit the reset button with Chevrolet altogether. Aside from the Corvette, their rest of their entire line up needs a true historical inspired revival. Chevy seems so lost right now.
Matt it would not be a stand alone brand. Just a model at Cadillac or GMC. If things don’t work they just pull the plug and no big mess of a dealer network like last time. They will not repeat that mistake.
Lutz said that was one of his worst mistakes.
With a Bolt nearly $35K you are not going to get a SUV for $50K with EV drive lines at this point and time.
They need something H2 Like that will sell in the $80K and up range depending how fancy the customers want it. This would cover the cost and at the volume it will sell it will make money.
People will be buying these to be seen in not off road. Much of the original were used that way and these would be the same. Celebrities will be lining up for them so they can give the Prius a boot and feel good about themselves.
Arnold already has a H1 EV now if I recall correctly.
Better electric than nothing at all. Still, gas would be better. Better power output, better range, more money for add on features, bigger market. I would never buy one myself
I bet you cannot even afford one.
Buick should be GM’s EV brand. Tesla has proven that Good EV’s like the model 3 must have superior aerodynamics which provides better range. The Entire Buick SUV lineup should go electric, and they should have a EV sedan and wagon as well.
Charging stations would also need to be protected 24/7. If not, just have the enemy blow them up and…ZAP. No more mobility.
It’s a long walk back to the USA, provided you’re not killed before you put on your desert sandals.
Meanwhile I’m swapping 5.9l Cummins into 2000 hummer h1..) uhh yeah I’ll have batteries too, just to start the coal machine)
AWESOME!
ALL CAPS for YOU!
Great comment. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, should.
Bad idea to bring back a dead name plate . when GMC is alive and makes better sense . Branding is established, network is set , just need to figure out naming ?
I’m Old School…owned two Escalades, Suburban, H-2 Hummer, Silverado, Jeeps (all models) Monte Carlo, Camaro (67 straight from Viet Nam)and finally a Chevelle …….NO BATTERIES for this old Marine!!!!!
I want to to see that new Chevelle concept convertable, or the best vehicle I ever owned…..GAS H-2 Hummer!!!!! Outstanding machine!!!!!
PS if I can rob 40 or 50 more banks…..I’ll buy that new mid- engine Corvette or COPO Camaro !!!!