Just when you thought you’d seen it all, GMC goes and shakes things up with the debut of the all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV. But before you start calculating your monthly payments on the $112,595 Edition 1 Hummer EV, you’ll want to grab a tape measure to see if the 216.8-inch beast will fit in your garage because you certainly won’t want to park it on the street. Then again, as big as it is, it’ll likely need an entire block to itself!
So, what’s the hype around the 2022 Hummer EV? As car enthusiasts, you already know that the new zero-emission truck is packed with features that match its sky-high price tag. But do you know about the history of the Hummer and its incredible journey from serving the American military to finding a niche market among American drivers? Let’s take a closer look at that journey, the all-new Hummer EV’s remarkability, as well as the buyers who sold out the Edition 1 in 10 minutes flat.
The History of the Hummer
In the early 1980s, the American military needed a high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) that could easily haul everything from troops to cargo. The answer came from AM General Corporation, a subsidiary of American Motors, that was awarded a $1 billion contract in 1983 to develop and produce 55,000 HMMWVs. AM General delivered big with the Hummer, which American troops quickly nicknamed the “Humvee” as it proved its capability during the invasion of Panama in 1989 and years later in the Persian Gulf War.
Following the war, AM General cashed in on the Humvee’s popularity by introducing it to the civilian market in 1992. Although the Hummer was considered a “lite” version of the military vehicle, it was still larger than life and guzzled enough gas to prove it with an average fuel economy of fewer than 10 miles per gallon. Even though it wasn’t efficient, the Hummer found a home among a niche market of the rich and famous. Hollywood celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of the 7,000-pound road warrior with exceptional off-road capability. Of course, with the Terminator’s seal of approval, the Hummer became even more popular.
After seven years in production in the civilian market, the Hummer found a new home when GM purchased the rights to the beast from AM General. With the automotive industry at an all-time high, GM put all their efforts into marketing the Hummer and, by 2002, debuted the all-new H2. The H2 was not only more affordable, but it was also lighter and delivered a better fuel economy averaging from 10 to 13 MPG. The H2 shared the Hummer’s prowess with a maximum towing capability of 7,000 pounds and an impressive water fording ability up to 20 inches.
Despite GM’s attempt to make the H2 more attractive to the everyday driver, criticism mounted as the Hummer symbolized America’s desire to supersize everything. Environmentalists argued that the gas-guzzling Hummer was killing the environment and served no real purpose on the road. This criticism forced GM to pivot as the automaker redesigned the Hummer and debuted the H3 in 2005. The H3 strayed far from its military roots and shared a platform with the Chevy Colorado. Sitting 16.8 inches shorter and weighing nearly 3,000 pounds less than the H2, the H3 delivered twice the fuel economy with an average of 20 MPG.
Although the H3 was designed with good intentions, interest dwindled, and sales declined. Hummers sat unsold on dealership lots around the country, forcing GM to slowly phase out the models by 2010. Environmentalists presumed they won the war against the gas-guzzling machine, but it wasn’t until recently that the real victor surfaced. GM announced the return of the Hummer, only this time the road beast would mark the debut of a zero-emission all-electric super truck, the first in the GM lineup. And if you ask us, the timing is perfect with the return of legends like the Ford Bronco and an all-new lineup of electric trucks from the likes of Ford and Tesla.
Remarkability
Did you ever imagine needing a vehicle to drive diagonally? Yeah, we didn’t either until GMC debuted the 2022 Hummer EV with its available Crabwalk Mode. Of course, we never imagined the day a vehicle could park itself, but the newest lineups of cars, trucks, and SUVs are certainly proving us wrong. Not to mention the advancement in autonomous driving technology.
As the world’s first all-electric super truck, the Hummer EV has some big shoes to fill, so it’s no surprise that it’s packed with features. Those features start under the hood, where the Hummer EV’s electric powertrain delivers 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of almost instantaneous torque that makes it the most powerful and responsive truck on the road with the ability to reach 60 mph in just 3 seconds. Yes, you read those stats right as GMC promises to completely change your perspective of what it means to drive an electric vehicle with the Hummer EV.
Designed for off-road performance, the Hummer EV’s Crabwalk Mode is the first of its kind and allows the rear wheels to turn 10 degrees in either direction at low speeds. This makes the Hummer EV a confident trail runner even when the going gets tough. GMC also added an Extract Mode, which utilizes the Hummer EV’s Adaptive Air Ride Suspension to lift the vehicle 6 inches to avoid damaging the undercarriage when traveling across harsh terrain. This feature is even more useful with Ultravision, which offers 18 available camera views, including a waterproof underbody camera that allows you to monitor ground clearance.
Just when you thought the Hummer EV couldn’t get any better, GMC ups the game with its stunning design that offers a fully immersive driving experience thanks to its infinity roof and modular sky panels. The Hummer EV allows you to feel the wind in your hair whether you’re traveling down the highway or blazing a new trail. The modular roof panels can be removed and stored in the rear along with the front I-Bar. You can also lower the rear drop glass and the windows for the full effect as you enjoy a luxurious interior that boasts durable all-weather flooring, cushioned seating, and oversized high-definition screens to give drivers access to everything they need at the touch of a button.
Who’s Buying It?
With a price tag starting at $112,595, the 2022 Hummer EV continues the tradition of attracting the rich and famous because, if we’re being honest, not many of us can afford a truck payment that’s almost as much as a mortgage. If you consider the size of the Hummer EV, which measures 216.8 inches long, then we’re also looking for people who have garages big enough to park the behemoth. This narrows it down to big money clients who likely already have a garage of high-end cars. Of course, you might find a few extreme off-road enthusiasts on the reservation list, especially if they’ve sunk a large chunk of change into their gas-guzzling off-road rig that makes the Hummer EV all the more attractive and a “cost-saving” option to take on the trail.
Undeniably Cool
Whether or not you’re part of the rich and famous, an extreme off-roader, or someone who loves to get behind the wheel of the latest model, there’s no question that the 2022 Hummer EV is impressive. As the world’s first all-electric super truck, all eyes are on the former gas-guzzling machine to see if it can deliver the power, performance, capability, and luxury it promises. Until then, we’re left waiting for its debut, and for some of us, we’re off to measure our garages, just out of curiosity, of course.
