American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM), a GM supplier, has unveiled its EV-converted GMC Sierra 1500 at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, showing off the company’s latest all-electric driveline technologies. The all-electric Sierra 1500 was joined by the hybrid Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, as well as an interactive display that allowed visitors to build their own EV using AAM components.
AAM’s EV-converted GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped from the factory with an internal combustion engine, but now incorporates the company’s three-in-one high-speed electric drive unit (eDU) and e-Beam technologies. Highlights include a single 150kW eDU to drive the front wheels, as well as a 425kW e-Beam in the rear of the vehicle, thus providing the truck with four-wheel-drive grip. The company states that the system’s three-in-one design integrates AAM’s proprietary motor, inverter, and gearbox into a single assembly, thus providing benefits in packing, cost, performance, and vehicle platform integration.
“CES provides AAM a platform to showcase some of the industry’s preeminent driveline technologies that support a rapidly changing, global auto industry,” said AAM Chairman and CEO, David C. Dauch. “As the industry continues to transition to hybrid and electrified vehicles, we are proud of the products and technologies our engineers are developing. We are in a great position to provide OEMs with a full portfolio of products from EV components to fully electric drive systems.”
The AAM booth also includes the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, which features AAM’s electric driveline technology, plus an interactive configurator that allows visitors to digitally build their own EV using AAM components and systems, including performance models, SUVs, and heavy duty trucks.
To note, General Motors launched the all-electric GMC Sierra EV for the 2024 model year, built from the ground up as a fully electric pickup truck. Based on the GM BT1 platform, the GMC Sierra EV features GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motor technology. The GMC Sierra EV is not related to AAM’s EV-converted GMC Sierra 1500.
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Comments
What is missing from this article is the cost of the new hardware and labor. A conversion can cost more than a factory built EV. But if you have the vehicle and can do it yourself, then the conversion can cost less.
WHY?
One would need to be High to do this to a Sierra. They’ve roint it!
Honestly, this design is how the OEMs could really cut down on cost. The ability to have drive units replace the current ones on a standard ICE vehicle configuration is pretty smart. They could also use this as a hybrid option, like what RAM is doing for their next gen 1500.
For trucks, I would mount the electric motor in the drive line behind the transmission of an ICE vehicle so it could be engaged and disengaged as desired to assist or completely power the vehicle or just freewheel if not wanted. That would be the perfect hybrid in my book.
What a concept?! Why not install two motors inside the transmission to make it way more compact than hanging it out back and call it a Two Mode Hybrid?
Hmm, BTDT but too few wanted it in back 2008. However, it actually worked very well and was a great improvement over the mild hybrid which had the electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission.
With 3 planetary gear sets for the fixed gear ranges and two electric motors for infinitely variable ranges, the 2ML70 was so simple, but no one had done it before.
Electric motors create high torque at low RPM. When using 2 motors, there was no need to wind up MG2 to insanely high RPM, by running MG1.
MG1 provided the ability to start the ICE as a motor using P1 as a reaction member, switch to a generator to charge the Nickel Metal Hydride battery and also work as a motor in combination with MG2.
Electric drive up to 25mph (40 kph) in D or R. The transmission is pure simplicity internally.
GM, Dodge and BMW all used the Two Mode Hybrid transmission, but folks were far less receptive to hybrids back then than now.
Strangely, everyone who didn’t want a hybrid in those days, is suddenly now on board with the concept, now that EVs are the current technology of focus on the “hit list”.
AAM is a fantastic company. I worked for them until retirement. They come up with and make some really good stuff.
This would be a great way to convert a 2WD vehicle into a 4×4. Take a GM full size van, put an AAM electric front axle in it. Now you have a 4×4 that you can run around town (50 miles?) on battery and for any longer trips fire up the V8 ICE. I’m sure that the electronics could be set up to use both drive systems for off road adventures and snowy road conditions.
I like this idea way way more then the fugly OEM EV silverado/sierra design disasters.
But honestly I like Edison Motors plans the most right now
There all junk and what is the price on that junk