As a representation of the future, electric vehicles are typically chock full of cutting-edge technologies and high-end convenience features. However, not a single GM EV currently in production features power-retractable running boards, making us wonder why.
For instance, the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and GMC Hummer EV SUV offer a set of fixed running boards / assist steps, while the Chevy Silverado EV also offer a set of fixed assist steps.
The reason why these electric vehicles don’t feature power-retractable running boards is twofold. First is a matter of integration. Given that vehicles running on the GM BT1 platform house the battery pack in the floor of the vehicle, there currently isn’t enough room to “tuck” a set of power-retractable running boards there. In other words, the vehicles in question use the space that would typically be needed for a retractable running board for the battery.
In addition, power running boards are heavier than fixed ones, and GM EVs running on the GM BT1 platform are already pretty heavy as they are. In fact, the Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1 weighs over 9,000 pounds. In comparison, a GMC Sierra 3500HD 4WD Long Bed Crew Cab with dual rear wheels and the 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax engine has a curb weight of 8,355 pounds.
However, that’s not say that GM electric vehicles will never receive this feature. There’s a chance that power-retractable running boards might be introduced on The General’s future all-electric full-size SUVs, such as the upcoming Cadillac Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL.
GM BT1 vehicle platform
As a reminder, the GM BT1 platform is GM’s “body on battery” vehicle architecture for electric trucks and SUVs, where the battery part acts as a frame of sorts and is integral to the vehicle’s structure. Paired with Ultium battery and Ultium Drive motor technology, this platform is designed to be malleable enough to work for Chevy, GMC and Cadillac products. Thus far, the Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1 boasts the highest output, developing 1,000 horsepower from a three-motor configuration. The Hummer EV is manufactured at the GM Factory Zero plant (previously known as the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant) in Michigan.
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