Originally intended to be a troops/cargo transport vehicle, the Humvee gained stardom in the late 80s during US military operations in Panama. The badass truck was straight out of an off-roader’s dream, and a domesticated version was in the works.
Sales took off during the mid-2000s but started coming to a halt later in the decade until General Motors decided to discontinue the brand in 2010. The Hummer rose and fell like the winter wheat, but electrification revived the GMC Hummer in 2021.
The Hummer EV was a massive stride in the electric car space, as battery-powered vehicles started going beyond the pavement to climb giant rocks. A couple of years later, GM decided to tone down the range anxiety that accompanies their ‘supertruck’ and add 26 miles to its range. The new Hummer EV 3X Pickup now has 7 more miles to its name than the Tesla Model X.
Why Did The GMC Hummer Go Electric?
In 1992, AM General created the first civilian version of the Humvee, the Hummer. But the crowds only started taming the Goliath when General Motors took over in 1999. The 4WD monster had everything you could want out of an ex-military SUV/pickup: a rugged design, a powerful engine, and impressive off-road capabilities. Yet, its greatest strengths were also its weaknesses. The fall of the Hummer was engraved in its engine, which turned the vehicle into a gas guzzler.
Vehicle emission laws tightened as the Hummer progressed into its H3 model, and then 2007 hit the nail in the coffin. The global recession that took over meant that no one can afford to spend a gallon of gas just to make it to the grocery store. Sales started to fall, and General Motors was left with two options; kill the GMC Hummer, or kill its engine.
The Hummer’s selling point was its engine, and building a vehicle without the component that made it successful will not resonate with its fanbase. Through teary eyes, GM discontinued the Hummer and focused on their line of GMC pickup trucks and low-powered SUVs.
Several years later, the automobile industry got caught up in the electrification wave, as the electric motor revolutionized cars. GM picked up hope and revived the GMC Hummer in EV form. The new electric off-roader was far more capable than its ICE ancestors while being kinder to the environment.
The GMC Hummer EV churns out 1000 horsepower and a mind-boggling 11,500 lb-ft of torque. The 9,000-pound truck had 329 miles of range, which wasn’t necessarily a liming factor. Yet, GM decided to add a few miles to ensure that you will not be stranded on the side of the road.
The 2023 GMC Hummer EV 3X Pickup Has A Range Of 355 Miles
The extra range comes with a twist, and it is not one that buyers of the Hummer Pickup EV may like. The Hummer EV 3X will ride on 22-inch wheels and 35-inch All-Terrain tires, giving it a more dynamic driving experience.
The issue is this version of the pickup truck is tuned for the roads rather than aggressively climbing slopes and hills. The good news is that with this configuration, drivers can anticipate an impressive driving range of up to 355 miles on a single charge. That’s 26 miles more than the Edition 1 Pickup and 57 miles more than the Edition 1 SUV.
For comparison, the Tesla Model X only has about 348 miles of range. That was a lot for a vehicle of its size until the Hummer EV 3X took its spotlight. The new pickup truck has 7 miles of range on top of the Tesla’s.
2024 Hummer EV 3X Gets An Extreme Off-Road Package
Not everyone is in it for the range. A gearhead is more likely to purchase a Tesla Model S if the range is what concerns them. But the Hummer EV is here for a completely different purpose. GM is introducing a new Extreme Off-Road package to turn the pickup truck into an all-terrain capable brute.
The Extreme Off-Road Package gives the truck new underbody cameras, additional skid plates, and rocker protection with built-in assist steps. The vehicle also receives 18-inch wheels and 35-inch Mud-Terrain tires.
Now, back to range figures. With all of its added goodies, this configuration will offer a GM-estimated driving range of up to 329 miles on a full charge, which is identical to the Edition 1 Pickup.
2024 GMC HUMMER EV 3X SUV Will Have Significantly Less Range
The new Hummer EV SUV received less love in the range department. The electric vehicle will only receive 314 miles of range, which is 41 miles behind its pickup truck counterpart. However, this is an upgrade from Edition 1’s 298 miles.
The pickup truck is already available for purchase, and the SUV could arrive anytime soon. GMC lets the buyer define the kind of EV they’re getting with the 3X pickup. For those seeking extra range, there are 7 miles more than what the Tesla Model X offers. For those seeking an off-road adventure, there’s a whole list of upgrades to prepare the truck for any terrain.