All-electric pickup trucks like the GMC Hummer EV are designed to do all the usual pickup truck activities, including towing. The question is – how does towing affect an EV’s overall range?
To find out, Car and Driver recently hooked a 29-foot camper to the GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T to see how many miles would be cut. Unsurprisingly, towing 6,100 pounds in an EV resulted in a significant decrease in predicted range.
In its testing, the publication hooked up the same 29-foot camper to all three vehicles, then ran the pickups on the same flat highway loop at 70 mph. The ambient temperature was 85 degrees, while the cabin climate control systems were set at 72 degrees.
According to Car and Driver, the GMC Hummer EV managed 140 miles with a full battery, well below the 329 miles estimated without towing. By contrast, the Ford Lightning and Rivian R1T fared considerably worse at 100 miles and 110 miles, respectively.
Much of the GMC Hummer EV’s greater towing range can be chalked up to its considerable 212.7-kWh battery capacity, as compared to the Ford Lightning’s 131-kWh battery capacity and the Rivian R1T’s 128.9-kWh battery capacity. The publication also points out that the Hummer’s broad front fascia and stance creates a bigger hole in the air to begin with, making the aero disadvantages of adding a large trailer slightly less pronounced compared to the more slippery Ford and Rivian.
Beyond this significant decrease in range, these trucks still offer some impressive towing advantages. For example, the GMC Hummer EV has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, while the all-electric powertrain offers prodigious torque and power that make merging a breeze. Meanwhile, the GMC Hummer EV’s 9,063-pound curb weight helps to keep everything stable on the road.
Notably, the GMC Hummer EV also includes an integrated trailer-brake controller and adaptive cruise control feature while towing, albeit without the hands-free GM Super Cruise system.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Hummer news, GMC news, GM electric vehicle news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Who cares? The only thing this thing will tow is a single or double jet ski or boat to the lake house where the wealthy owners will partake in yet another vacation to one of their many homes.
This “truck” is so out of touch with reality that it stinks like rotten fish. I’m all for EV’s and I’m looking forward to hopefully being able to buy a GM car (sedan) that’s an EV. But I have to say that I’m a little miffed that GM spent so much money to bring this thing to market before doing the more mainstream EV’s like Kia and others are doing. Hummer died a rightful death years ago and they should have left it there.
Let’s not forget the Hummer has all terrain tires versus road tires for the others.
Still can’t believe the stupidity that has become reality in this industry.
9000lb Hummers and full size trucks north of 100 grand to combat “climate change” with zero usability outside of picking up groceries.
Climate change. The latest buzz phase to make a few people lots of money before the bubble pops.
GM needs to go back to the Volt technology if there going to use this unit to tow or use it for construction work.
GM will not going back to Volt technology. The size of pack needed to have any real benefit would increase the price of the truck to a point no one would want to buy it. The Volt had a 16kWh pack to do its ~50 miles. That same pack in a truck might get you 20 miles with no load and less than 10 with a load or in the winter. Plus you still have all the issues with an ICE vehicle mixed with the cost of EV components.
The solution is just better high capacity batteries. GM and most of the industry think the next wave is coming mid decade. At that point you can have a truck that has a 600+ mile range which translates to 300+ miles when towing.
Gas has a lot of energy in it and batteries technology just started taking off with cell phone growth.
EV’s virtually not any better than they were 100+ years ago. Get a few more miles on a charge but barely (and at only 438,731% more cost). And what does it save? Nothing. Climate change another political scam. One thinks food, etc costs more now, just look ahead 15 years if this so called no fueled vehicle sales bills go through. Trucking rates will make your milk go from $3/gallon to $25/gallon. Glad I have my own cows. People need to think with a clue, and thier minds, not a computer.
EV’s are a lot better than they were 100 years ago. Vehicles 100 years ago weren’t traveling at 70+ MPH. The Hummer EV could go 500 miles if you’re traveling under 30MPH.
Towing a 29 foot box trailer cuts an ICE truck’s mileage by half…no one bats an eye.
Towing a 29 foot box trailer cuts an EV’s range by half…haters out in force…
Meh.
Still can’t wait for my Silverado EV to be built, but I am still keeping a 3500HD around for long towing trips…