Hummer EV Pickup

Make
GMC
Segment
Sports Car

While automakers are developing their electric vehicles (EVs) to be as aerodynamic and light as possible for extended range, GMC appears to take a different approach with its Hummer EV. In a recent teardown video by Munro Live, two engineers discussed why the 1,000-hp electric pickup truck is unnecessarily heavy.

One of the most significant bits that make the pickup heavy is the huge battery pack, which is said to weigh 2,818 lbs. For reference, the Mazda Miata has a curb weight of just under 2,400 lbs. The engineers even described the battery pack as "a small car without wheels."

The abundant use of steel is seen as the primary reason for the hefty weight. Steel may be cheaper but it is heavier than aluminum. To the engineers' surprise, GMC didn't follow other automakers when using aluminum to construct its battery packs.

Looking closer at the battery pack, there are plenty of steel stampings that hold parts together: 139 stamped steel components to be exact. The pack has C-shaped stamping on top of the cross members, with additional L-shaped stampings to hold the lateral reinforcements to the base. The stampings are bolstered by more than 3,500 welds. Aside from the weight factor, this construction is said to add up to the manufacturing costs.

A comparison chart shows how the Hummer EV fares against other EVs. In terms of range per kilowatt hour, the Hummer EV only returns 1.5 miles/kWh, which is approximately 1.5 miles/kWh less than the Ford F-150 Lightning and 0.75 miles/kWh less than the Rivian R1T.

Weight has a substantial impact on mileage despite automakers' efforts to make their electrified powertrains more efficient. In the case of the Hummer EV, the large off-road wheels and not-so-aerodynamic exterior body are said to add to the heavy battery pack in affecting its EV range.

GMC is working on improving the Hummer EV's range. The latest 3X trim is claimed to offer 355 miles on a full charge, which is 26 miles more than the current model.