Payne: Hummer EV vs. growing field of competitors

Posted by Talbot Payne on October 22, 2020

In the middle of World Series Game 1 on Tuesday night — in between beer, smartphone and camping equipment ads — viewers were treated to a 2-minute commercial about … an $112,595 electric Hummer pickup.

There might have been some head scratching.

Brands that sell $100k vehicles — Porsche, Land Rover, Maserati — usually don’t take out TV ads. Customers with that kind of disposable income call their car broker to buy their cars for them. The rare exception is the $100k, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, but that debuted at the Oscars where Hollywood swells drive up in limos. Polarizing basketball activist Lebron James introduced the ad promising the Hummer “would change the world,” though revolutionary autos usually have more modest price tags like the Model T or the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

But if not a revolution, General Motors Co.’s Hummer indicates something wild is happening in the luxury pickup market. GMC Hummer is one of a handful of expensive electric pickups coming to market in the next two years.

Seeking to capitalize on trendy luxury consumers who value sustainability, these trucks offer no-compromise power and technology while delivering guilt-free, zero emissions. While the Tesla Model 3 sedan popularized lux EVs, battery architecture uniquely favors pickups by offering yuuuge power, handling and storage capabilities.

“As the first of GM’s next-gen EVs, the Hummer EV will fundamentally alter conventional off-road and truck paradigms,” says GM electric guru Ken Morris.

Here’s how it stacks up against the other electron-guzzling pickups currently available to order:

GMC Hummer EV

Due in: late 2021 as a 2022 model

Deposit: $100, https://tinyurl.com/yyyxg7c3

Service: GMC dealers

Price: $112,595 ($79,995 base model in 2024)

Horsepower: 1,000

0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds

Towing: NA

Battery size: 200 kWh est.

Range: 350-plus

The iconic Hummer comes at the segment by throwing everything into its bed and the kitchen sink. It brings open-air, off-road capability like Jeeps; Super Cruise self-driving like Cadillac; the instant acceleration and high-tech of Tesla; and the latest tailgate tricks from GMC itself.

GMC Hummer EV

Unlike the original, diesel-powered, Humvee-based H1, the Hummer EV is as capable on-road as it is off. Its whisper-quiet electric drive-train floats on an air suspension while offering eyeball-flattening, 3.0-second, 0-60 acceleration. Off-road, its 35-inch knobby tires can go anywhere and then some — its new Crab Walk mode allowing the truck to navigate tight terrain diagonally.

Without an engine up front, passengers can store the Hummer’s roof in the “frunk” (front trunk) in order to have an unobstructed view of the heavens. Range is a healthy 350 miles though that will vary greatly depending on weather and the number of 0-60 launches you do. The truck is fast-charge capable on Electrify America’s emerging national network.

Tesla Cybertruck

Due in: late 2021 as a 2022 model

Deposit: $100, https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck/design#battery

Service: Tesla stores

Price: $69,900

Horsepower: 600

0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds

Towing: 14,000 pounds

Battery size: NA

Range: 500-plus

If the Hummer is a riff on an iconic shape, the Tesla Cybertruck is the most radical design in segment, its stainless steel body looking like something out of a sci-fi movie. The Cybertruck is considerably cheaper than the Hummer with a base price of $39,900 for its single motor truck. The top-line tri-motor — first available and comparable to the Edition 1 Hummer now on sale — starts at $69,900.

Tesla will build its Cybertruck in a new plant near Austin, Texas.

Tesla has only shown a prototype concept truck thus far, but the interior looks to be typically Tesla spartan. Controls are accessed through a single console screen — like the Model 3 sedan.

Tesla is promising delivery through its own dealers in late 2021, but the Silicon Valley automaker has been notoriously erratic in meeting delivery schedules — one of the advantages of a legacy automaker like Hummer and its independent dealer network. On the other hand, Tesla has a big leg up on its competition with the best, fast-charging network in the country.

Rivian R1T

Due in: early 2021

Depost: $1,000, https://rivian.com/preorder/r1t

Service: Rivian stores

Price: $80,000 est.

Horsepower: 750

0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds

Towing: 11,000 pounds

Battery size: 105-180 kWh

Range: 400-plus

Before Hummer, before Cybertruck, Plymouth-based Rivian really opened eyes to the capabilities of an electric pickup. With four electric motors on board it promises a sprint to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds.

With its batteries stored in the basement, the R1T maximizes storage space with a massive frunk and pass through space behind the rear seats for another 12 cubic feet of storage. The Rivian is smaller than the competitive set — sized somewhere between a midsize and full-size pickup meant to appeal to urban customers. Its interior is uncluttered with two tablet screens for controls.

The Rivian R1T at Rivian headquarters in Plymouth in November 2018.

Like Hummer, the Rivian can perform a handling trick of its own. With its quad motors spinning left and right-side wheels simultaneously in opposite directions, the R1T can rotate in place. Rivian calls the feature “Tank Turn.”

Bollinger B2

Due in: late 2021 as a 2022 model

Deposit: $1000, https://bollingermotors.com/reserve/

Service: Independent dealers

Price: $125,000

Horsepower: 614

0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds

Towing: 7,500 pounds

Battery size: 142 kWh

Range: 200

Bollinger offers simple design and maximum storage. Designed for heavy lifting on founder Robert Bollinger’s New York farm, the B2’s pass-through interior can handle cargo up to 16-feet long stretching from front-to-rear bumper. With 15 inches of ground clearance, the truck can be raised or lowered another 5 inches.

The Bollinger B2 electric truck .

Optimized as a work truck, the B2 has 8 electrical outlets for power tools. You can attach a plow to it.

Lordstown Endurance

Due in: late 2020 as 2021 model

Deposit: $100, https://lordstownmotors.com/25432293427/checkouts/ec7424381b59819074b0fe5a51979e77

Service: TBD

Price: $52,500

Horsepower: 600

0-60 mph: NA

Towing: 7,500 pounds

Battery size: 180 kWh

Range: 250-plus

Of the five trucks, the least is known about the Endurance to be built in GM’s old Lordstown Assembly site. But it is unique in that it features four hub-mounted electric motors for better vehicle control. Lordstown sales are focused on commercial fleets, so it appears determined to deliver an affordable truck — as opposed to competitors that are all starting production with high-end, $100,000-plus vehicles. That means it likely will have fewer gee-whiz features.

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