One of the problems with electric vehicles is that a lot of battery technology was not designed for use in cars. With careful engineering and development of new technology, GM believes they have created the next major leap forward in EV technology: the Ultium system. Soon these vehicles will be at a GMC dealer in your neighborhood.
What makes this new technology so revolutionary is the modularity and customizability. They are easy to charge, and will go hundreds of miles on a full charge. They are also surprisingly powerful and fun to drive. We’ll go into more details about the wonders of this technology, but suffice it to say, this new EV system will be a game changer in the industry.
GMC is introducing several EVs throughout 2023 and 2024, including the Sierra EV, the Hummer EV SUV, and the Hummer EV Pickup. These vehicles are so packed with new technology that most enthusiasts are stunned by the capabilities of these impressive additions to the world of electric vehicles.
The Engineering That Makes Ultium Unique
GMC’s engineers have designed the Ultium platform to use 80% less wire material, getting power where it needs to go with fewer wires, which saves both weight and cost. One of the challenges of old battery technology was the use of expensive and rare cobalt. Ultium uses 70% less cobalt than previous batteries. Not only does this save on cost, it also helps lower the impact of EVs on the environment. Speaking of the environment, GM has been developing ways to recycle these new batteries. Many previous generations of batteries have ended up in landfills, and GM wanted to change that.
Ultium’s modular design allows this new EV system to be used with multiple vehicles. This will cut down production costs, labor, and material costs. Ultium also allows for a lower center of gravity and better weight distribution. The combination of these factors make the new generation of EVs very maneuverable and less likely to tip. Maintenance is also going to be easier on these systems because they are simpler than previous generations of electric vehicles.
All this technology sounds great, but what does it really mean to the everyday driver? Imagine driving to work, running a few errands on the way home, pulling into the garage, and charging your vehicle for nearly the next 100 miles of driving in just ten minutes. The Hummer EV will be capable of this fast charging. Not only that, but it has fast acceleration, going 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. The Hummer EV SUV will be capable of 300 miles on a full charge, while the Hummer EV Pickup will be capable of 350. The Sierra EV Denali is capable of towing up to 9,500 pounds, along with an estimated 400 miles of range on a full charge. Ultium is starting to make choosing an EV more and more appealing.
So Many New Electric Vehicles
GM is releasing their Ultium system not only to GMC, but also Chevrolet and Cadillac. We are only going to be discussing the GMC models here, but Ultium will revolutionize all of GM’s electric vehicle lineup. GMC will be releasing the Sierra EV, the Hummer EV SUV, and the Hummer EV Pickup throughout 2023 into 2024.
It is actually quite impressive what the Sierra EVs are capable of doing. These trucks are capable of towing up to 9,500 pounds. For comparison, the Sierra 1500 with the 2.7L Turbo I-4 is only capable of 9,400 lbs. The difference is evident when you compare the horsepower as well. The EV Sierra has an estimated max horsepower of 754 and 785 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7L Turbo I-4 Sierra has 310 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Even the top of the line engine, the 6.2L EcoTec V8, makes a maximum of 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Sierra EV could be looking at best-in-class horsepower and torque, which it pretty impressive for an electric truck.
The Hummer EV looks even more impressive with up to 1,000 horsepower on tap for the pickup version and 830 for the SUV in three-motor configuration. Both versions have up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque. It is truly mind blowing how far EVs have come in the last decade. How incredible is it that GMC is developing an electric EV capable of 1,000 hp?
Driving the Next Generation of GMC EVs
These new electric vehicles are responsive, have fast acceleration, comfortable interiors, and even more storage options than a standard truck. Because the engine, batteries, and suspension all take up less space, the front of the car has an under-hood storage compartment. Of course, all these vehicles come with the comfort you are used to in modern gas powered vehicles. The high-quality seat materials, infotainment system, and up to 18 cameras on the Hummer to help you see exactly what is going on all around your vehicle.
All three new electric vehicles have available CrabWalk technology, which turns all the wheels simultaneously to allow the vehicle to move side to side at an angle instead of turning in the normal way. This allows maneuverability like we haven’t seen before. Not only that, but the Hummer EV SUV and Hummer EV Pickup have the ability to adjust the height of the vehicle at the touch of a button. This gives the driver the ability to navigate difficult terrain when necessary by raising the height but also the option to increase the aerodynamics while on the highway by lowering the height.
The interior of these cars feel similar to a spacecraft from your favorite science fiction novel. The electrical interfaces, screens, rich sound system, and expansive moon roofs will make you feel like you’re about to take off into space. The Hummer comes with a modular roof system which allows you to remove most of the roof, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air or gaze up at the stars when parked. This feature makes the new Hummer EV feel like a convertible. This vehicle just continues to amaze.
Why the New GM Ultium System is Revolutionary
Maybe three new EVs doesn’t sound that exciting, but consider that these three EVs are just the beginning of the GM EV revolution. The Ultium platform has given GM the ability to produce electric vehicles faster, better, more affordably than ever before, using fewer resources than before, while also improving performance. It was once said that EVs will have to be better than fossil fuel vehicles if they are ever to become the new standard. GM is taking a huge step towards that goal.
The next generation of GM EVs have great handling, fast acceleration, a quiet ride, and can go long distances on a single charge. These EVs have impressive horsepower and torque, allowing comparable towing to similar trucks. Driving one of these EVs feels like you stepped into a futuristic version of the cars to which you’re accustomed. That’s probably because they are the next generation vehicle. They are the future. Pretty soon, everyone will wonder why they stuck with the old gas guzzling vehicles of the twentieth century.
