The United States Army is looking to obtain a light or heavy-duty electric or hybrid vehicle for Government analysis. They hope the vehicle will support adaptable capability that reduces their reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, they have recently bought a Hummer EV through GM Defense.
GMC Hummer EV: Future GM Defense Vehicle?
According to the Detroit Free Press, GM’s subsidiary GM defense said it was selected to provide a battery electric vehicle (BEV) for analysis and demonstration to the Army on Tuesday. They chose to offer a 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup.
GM Defense Spokeswoman Sonia Taylor declined to say how much the Army paid for it. A Hummer EV Edition 1 – the only variant in production at the moment – retails for $110,295 USD including destination. More affordable variants, as well as the Hummer EV SUV, will begin production in the coming years. While the sale of just one may not seem very significant, Taylor stated that it’s a stepping stone to getting the U.S. Defense industry electrified.
The 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup boasts independent front and rear suspension systems paired to the drive motors and are optimized for handling in all conditions.
GM Defense will deliver the Hummer to Army Contracting Command Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, “no later than Aug. 31,” Taylor stated. The facility is just down the street from the GM Warren Technical Center. The Army will then evaluate it, but whether the military branch intends to purchase more is dependent on their evaluation.
The GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 can generate 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque and is capable of 350 kW or 800V DC fast charging, which enables up to nearly 100 miles of range in 12 minutes of charging. The Edition 1 offers 329 miles of combined driving range, and the vehicle can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds. GM Defense hopes the demonstration will show the U.S. Army what an all-electric super truck is capable of and how the technology can “be leveraged for future defense needs.”
In 2020, GM Defense won its first contract worth $214.3 million to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle for the Army. The ISV is based on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and is designed for rapid ground mobility and carrying a nine-soldier infantry squad through the battlefield.
