Is it possible you’ll see representatives from the Department of Defense at your local GMC dealership? Probably not, but the Army has purchased a Hummer EV for evaluation. This could bring the Hummer full circle in its life cycle, which is pretty rare for a vehicle. Often, when a vehicle is not used by the military any longer but is found to be useful in the public sector, there isn’t a return to combat action. While we don’t know if the electric Hummer will ever see any combat, it is being studied.
Which Hummer Did the Army Purchase?
Of course, the Hummer that will be delivered to the Army by the end of August is the top Edition 1 model with all the bells and whistles. It’s not a surprise that the Army wants to study this vehicle. The Hummer EV is extremely capable and could have applications for some military operations. The Army is testing this big truck to be a future electric light reconnaissance vehicle (eLRV) which it would be perfect for since the electric powertrain is silent. Of course, a big truck like this stomping through the wilderness isn’t exactly quiet.
What Equipment Does the Army Hummer EV Include?
You’d be better off asking what it doesn’t have. Even so, to answer the question, everything you can add at your local GMC dealership is part of the Army Hummer EV.
Massive Horsepower
Even the largest diesel engines in the heavy-duty truck market don’t have the power of the GMC Hummer EV. This big truck brings 1,000 horsepower to the trails via the tri-motor setup. The torque figures are still somewhat controversial, but we know the numbers are much greater than any diesel engine can offer as well. These numbers make the Hummer EV the strongest vehicle in the one-ton and below truck class.
Extract Mode
The Extract Mode is a recent over-the-air update for the Edition 1 GMC Hummer EV models, and it’s an incredible feature. This feature allows the air suspension system to lift the vehicle by six inches to tower over obstacles in the path. This feature is extremely useful and could be ideal for rough terrain faced by military personnel when navigating a path to the next location. With Extract Mode, there aren’t many places this truck can’t go.
Crab Walk
Another amazing off-road feature of this GMC truck that will be useful to the military is the Crab Walk Mode. This four-wheel steering system allows the tires to turn, and the vehicle can drive diagonally around an obstacle. This can be extremely useful in places where there isn’t a lot of room to maneuver this big truck. Instead of several turns to get the right angle, the rear wheels turn with the front wheels, and the truck sort of walks sideways, but really at an angle, and can go around larger obstacles in the path.
Where did the Hummer Come From?
Before GMC dealerships got the electrified Hummer EV, and before the name was a brand that became mired by its gas-guzzling personality, Hummer was the nickname of a military vehicle. The United States military loves their acronyms and turning those acronyms into words. The Jeep brand wouldn’t be part of our vernacular without the Willy’s General Purpose vehicle. This small SUV was renamed GP, which when said together, becomes Jeep.
The same goes for the Hummer. In 1984, the military began using vehicles called High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, which was nicknamed Humvee and then Hummer. The current fleet of Humvees is getting old; although military mechanics can do wonders with them, it’s about time for these dinosaurs to be replaced. The new electric Hummer is being considered as a possible replacement.
What Will You Find in the Hummer EV at Your Local GMC dealership?
When these electric trucks arrive at dealerships, they offer the pinnacle of off-roading while putting away that gas-guzzling monkey that’s been on the back of the Hummer name for years. This impressive vehicle offers you:
- Significant off-road ability
- Lots of torque and 1,000 horsepower
- Super Cruise
- Four-wheel steering
- 0-60 mph in 3 seconds
Its Big, but Not Too Big
Its possible one of the reasons the Army is interested in the GMC Hummer EV is its drivability for its size. The Hummer EV is smooth on the road with quick acceleration and impressive handling. Driving this big truck feels easy with a responsive set of pedals and plenty of comfort built into the cabin. Stopping from high speeds is where you will feel the 9,000-pound weight of the Hummer, but don’t let that bother you.
What is Watts-to-Freedom?
The Watts-to-Freedom is the launch control system of this massive truck. By pressing the traction control button twice, selecting the Watts-to-Freedom setting on the steering wheel, fully pressing the brakes with one foot, and then hitting the accelerator to the floor, this truck takes off like a rocket. You’ll hit 60 mph before you know it and leave everything else in the dust. Very few vehicles are this quick, and this feature could benefit some military patrols when they need to get out of the area in a hurry.
Suspension Travel is Ideal for Off-Roading
Even if you order a Hummer EV from your GMC dealership without the Extract Mode (we’re not sure why you would, but you could), The suspension of this impressive truck travels 13 inches at the front and rear. That’s pretty close to the same travel distance offered in the Ford F-150 Raptor. With the Extract Mode, this distance increases by six inches, giving you a truck that can go over everything.
Are You Surprised the Military Wants the Hummer EV
Ok, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves there, but how many vehicles does the military purchase that we could buy from our local GMC dealership? That number is extremely small. Something about the GMC Hummer EV caught the attention o the Army, and they will put it through the paces to see if it’s a fitting replacement for the old and worn-out Humvees.
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