The BT1 platform is a GM platform designed for large electric pickup trucks and SUVs. It underpins pickup trucks and SUVs from three GM brands, including Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC, including GMC-branded Hummer EV models.
| Names: | GM BT1 platform, BT1, BT1XX |
| Predecessor: | none |
| Successor: | (currently) none |
| Type: | Ultibody (body on battery) |
| Supported vehicle type: | Large pickup truck, large SUV |
| Layout: | Skateboard type |
| Powertrain type: | battery electric, single, dual or triple motor |
| Debut date: | 2020 calendar year |
| On sale date: | 2021 calendar year as 2022 model year |
| Vehicles | |
| Chevrolet: | Silverado EV, Tahoe EV (expected), Suburban EV (expected) |
| GMC: | Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra EV |
| Cadillac: | Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL |
| Buick: | none |
Overview
General Motors developed the T1 architecture from the ground up to accommodate battery electric vehicles. Placing the battery packs within the floor, BT1 is a mix of unibody and “body on battery” platform that GM internally refers to as UltiBody. During assembly, the battery pack is lifted into the vehicle and then bolted into its body.
Powertrain
BT1 supports various GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motors ranging from a dual motor configuration to a triple-motor setup making 1,000 horsepower.
Vehicle Applications
Current and anticipated applications of the BT1 platform include:
Chevrolet
- Chevrolet Silverado EV
- Chevrolet Tahoe EV (expected)
- Chevrolet Suburban EV (expected)
GMC
- GMC Hummer EV Pickup
- GMC Hummer EV SUV
- GMC Sierra EV
- GMC Yukon EV (expected)
- GMC Yukon XL EV (expected)
Cadillac
- Cadillac Escalade IQ (Escalade EV)
- Cadillac Escalade IQL (Escalade ESV EV)
Buick
- None (expected)
Production
GM vehicles based on the BT1 platform are or will be assembled at the following GM plants:
- GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which was rebranded as Factory Zero in conjunction with the EV push
- GM Lake Orion plant, which will assist Factory Zero in producing BT1 vehicles, as production of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV ended at the facility
Ultium Branding
General Motors does not publicly refer to the BT1 platform by its name. Instead, GM has been branding BT1 as the Ultium Platform, a term that can either refer to vehicles on the BT1 architecture, those on the unibody BEV3 platform.
(Lack Of) Relationship To T1
Contrary to its name, the BT1 architecture is not a variant of and shares no parts with the GM T1 platform that underpins internal combustion engine vehicles such as:
- 2019 and newer Chevrolet Silverado
- 2019 and newer GMC Sierra
- 2021 and newer Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 and newer Chevrolet Suburban
- 2021 and newer GMC Yukon / Yukon XL
- 2021 and newer Cadillac Escalade
BT1 News
GM Files To Trademark King Crab For Potential Electronic Steering System
Is it a new name for CrabWalk or a brand new feature?
Read More »
GM EV Test Drives Available During Los Angeles Auto Show
A chance to test a wide range of electric vehicles.
Read More »
