Hummer EV: The Boldest Electric Pickup That Refuses to Be Practical
When General Motors decided to revive the legendary Hummer nameplate, they didn’t hold back. The Hummer EV arrived as one of the most ambitious electric vehicles ever built—an oversized, overpowered, over-engineered truck that packs nearly every piece of cutting-edge technology available. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a statement.
The specifications alone sound like something from a concept car: three electric motors producing a combined 1,014 horsepower, an enormous Ultium battery pack, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering that allows the truck to move diagonally in “crab mode,” and a digital cockpit powered by software from the video game industry. The Hummer EV offers 18 cameras for a 360-degree view, removable roof panels, advanced off-road systems, and GM’s hands-free Super Cruise driving technology. It is, in short, a truck designed to impress as much as to perform.
Demand Outpaces Supply
When preorders opened for the launch model, the Hummer EV Edition 1, priced at $112,595, the entire batch sold out in just ten minutes. More than 90,000 people placed reservations. But production hasn’t been smooth. In the first two years, GM delivered only 783 pickups, despite announcing that over 11,000 units had been built at the Factory Zero plant. Battery issues, including minor water intrusion problems, and slow assembly ramp-up have hampered deliveries.
This scarcity has kept prices high on the secondary market. At one point, used models were selling for $200,000. Today, the hype has cooled slightly, with used Hummers trading between $150,000 and $160,000. Still, spotting one on the road remains rare.
Power and Performance
On paper, the numbers look absurd. GM advertises 15,590 Nm of torque—though that figure reflects wheel torque after gear multiplication. In reality, the motors produce closer to 1,400 Nm combined. Still, performance is staggering for a truck weighing over 4 tons. In “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode, the Hummer EV rockets from 0–100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds, quicker than many sports cars. Top speed is limited to 170 km/h, but the sense of acceleration is overwhelming, especially given the size of the vehicle.
Braking, however, is less impressive. Stopping from 113 km/h requires 64 meters—longer than most heavy pickups. Unsurprisingly, engineers capped the top speed to mitigate risk.
Range and Efficiency
The Hummer EV’s colossal 212.7 kWh battery gives it a respectable range of about 560 km. Charging capabilities are equally massive: at a 350 kW fast charger, 160 km of range can be added in just 10 minutes under ideal conditions. A full charge at home with a 220-volt outlet takes overnight, while a standard 110-volt outlet barely adds one mile of range per hour.
Efficiency remains the Achilles’ heel. The Hummer EV is rated at 53 MPGe, worse than most electric pickups and far behind models like the Rivian R1T. Compared with something like a Toyota Prius, which manages 55 MPG without requiring long charging stops, the Hummer remains an anti-hero of efficiency. Its enormous weight, blocky aerodynamics, and off-road tires ensure that power consumption is always high.
Off-Road Credentials
Despite its size and inefficiency, the Hummer EV remains a capable off-road machine. With up to 404 mm of ground clearance, adaptive suspension, locking differentials, and advanced drive modes, it can climb 60% grades, ford water up to 808 mm deep, and tackle serious terrain. The “crab walk” diagonal-driving feature, enabled by four-wheel steering, helps navigate tight spaces.
The truck rides on massive 35-inch Goodyear Territory tires, with 37-inch options available. It also comes with GM’s MultiPro tailgate, which can transform into steps or adapt to carry longer cargo. With 18 onboard cameras—including underbody views with washer jets—drivers can monitor every obstacle.
Design and Interior
The Hummer EV looks as aggressive as it performs. Measuring 5.5 meters long and 2.2 meters wide, it has the stance of a traditional full-size pickup. Inside, luxury takes a backseat to rugged functionality. Surfaces are made of durable plastics, with washable synthetic upholstery. The cabin layout is unapologetically angular, with square vents, toggles designed for use with gloves, and a customizable digital display.
Removable roof panels transform the truck into a semi-open convertible. These lightweight, tinted plexiglass pieces fit into the front trunk when not in use. Combined with frameless doors, they give the Hummer EV a unique “T-top” feel reminiscent of classic American muscle cars.
Everyday Usability
Living with a Hummer EV is not simple. Its massive dimensions make parking challenging, and charging costs often rival refueling a gasoline truck. Still, features like one-pedal driving, adjustable regenerative braking, and the informative “energy task manager” system allow owners to monitor and optimize usage.
GM has announced several trims beyond the Edition 1. The EV3X ($99,995) offers 811 hp and a 483 km range. The EV2X ($89,995) drops to two motors with 634 hp. The entry-level EV² ($79,995) also uses two motors but with a smaller 400-volt battery, offering 402 km of range. However, most of these models remain theoretical as GM struggles to deliver even early orders.
A Niche Icon
The Hummer EV is not designed for rational buyers. It’s heavy, inefficient, and expensive, but that’s not the point. It’s a symbol of excess, an electric supertruck that blends nostalgia with modern tech. Competing models from Rivian and Ford may be more practical, but none carry the same dramatic presence.
For now, the Hummer EV is more of a rare collector’s item than a mass-market solution. Whether GM can ever fulfill its massive backlog of reservations remains uncertain. But as long as it exists, the Hummer EV proves that even in the age of electrification, there’s still room for bold, outrageous machines that make no apologies.
