GM Defense is part of General Motors' catalog of divisions, and GM Defense involves all sorts of military-focused projects. Their latest project? Trying to take the pre-existing GMC Hummer EV and adapt parts and aspects of it for military applications, all with an eco-friendly, electric-based focus. It should be noted, however, that the project as a whole is barely past the planning stages and won't be reaching its more evolved stages for at least a few more years at the soonest.

Read on to find out more details about how GM Defense is going to take the GMC Hummer EV and adapt it for military applications.

Related: Here's How The GMC Hummer EV And Tesla Cybertruck Compare

The Hummer EV Will Serve As The Base

Many aspects taken directly from the GMC Hummer will be incorporated into the new military vehicles. After all, General Motors makes military-focused products, and that division is managed through GM Defense, General Motors' military-focused division. Their next project, ambitious though it may be, is taking the pre-existing GMC Hummer EV and modifying it to become an electric light reconnaissance vehicle (eLRV).

Ideally, this project should reach fruition sometime in 2022. The project is currently under U.S. Army evaluation, That said, it's not going to be a carbon copy, but instead, it's a bunch of components from the pre-existing vehicle incorporated into the eLRV, but modified per military specifications. These components include, but are not limited to, its frame, its electric motors, and GM’s Ultium battery system. Thanks to the latter, this new eLRV has the fast-charging capability of 100 miles of range in 12 minutes.

The aesthetics, however, will not be incorporated, leaving the eLRV with an original appearance. Further, a few prototypes are planned for initial assembly for testing and military evaluation in early 2022, pending military approval of the project.

No Surface Resemblance Though

As previously mentioned, these new vehicles are deliberately planned to be aesthetically different from civilian versions of GMC Hummers. While the finished appearance isn't finalized, the eLRV is planned to bear a striking resemblance to GM Defense's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), which uses both powertrain and frame of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize pickup truck. And while the project isn't fully confirmed, the fact that the Army put out a request for companies to develop this eLRV-type vehicle seems to imply this project will come to fruition at some point.

Further, 10 companies are currently in the competition to produce such a vehicle, though only two will be awarded the chance to actually proceed with the project in the next few years. Regardless, GM may continue the Hummer EV as a civilian vehicle with several variants. On top of that, a modern Humvee could be in the works for GM Defense.

Related: Hummer H3 Vs Jeep Wrangler In An Off-Road Showdown

Weaponizing The Electric Hummer

This development of the eLRV is the next step in the military adding electric vehicles into their arsenal and fleet. While this plan is currently in its infancy, it is nonetheless essential and vital for the military to begin more of an electric-based focus within their fleet. The eLRV is slated to be the first purpose-built vehicle of its kind, and also the first to be built from scratch. The Hummer EV was chosen as the template for many aspects of the eLRV, barring any aesthetic modifications.

GM Defense has also been doing a significant amount of research and development of EVs for the defense industry, and that research and development is planned to be a crucial step in the formation of GM's electrification plans for the next few years. Further, electric vehicles will also be more eco-friendly and combat climate change, which makes the eLRV a lot more desirable from several parties, including the government. GM Defense has currently identified up to $25 billion for potential future business opportunities regarding the eLRV and similar vehicles.

Still In The Introduction Stages

While all these prospects and developments may seem exciting, it's important to remember that this project has a long way to go, as it isn't even in the prototype stage yet. As mentioned before, only two of the 10 companies will win the chance to actually work on the eLRVs, and even then, the military will be a few years before they make their final decisions. A lot of factors will weigh into the final decision, such as what the detailed specifications for the prototypes will be.

EVs may have the potential to assist in military-focused missions, though using an EV as the choice of vehicle can present various setbacks and obstacles, all of which will need careful consideration before the project enters production. The next stage of the project is to have the eLRV prototype perform hands-on tests, and, should all factors and timetables align, that could happen as early as next year.

Sources: motor1.com, greencarreports.com, cnbc.com, cnet.com, electrek.co,