Return of the Hummer? GM is Going All Electric

[USMC_315]

GM recently announced that they're going to be moving towards an all-"green" line up across the board for their company by, if I remember correctly, 2025. While I'm not a fan of that move and probably won't purchase autos from GM, I would be absolutely ecstatic for one product.... an all electric Hummer. We've already seen companies start to modify H1's into hybrids or full fledged "green machines", and they were good enough to interest the Governator himself to buy one. Not having to deal with the negative light for being a gas guzzling behemoth might give GM enough wiggle room to start bringing back the brand and dip their hand into the offroad market once again.

What do you guys think? Would you purchase an all electric or hybrid Hummer (H1, H2, or H3)? Do you think GM will overlook the idea to reach a very loyal and passionate niche that is making Chrysler and Ford 100's of millions of dollars?

[cgalpha08]

It's not feasible. Battery tech isn't capable of holding a meaningful charge. I for one refuse to buy an electric vehicle, I'd rather buy older and older cars just to have a has engine lol

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[USMC_315]

It's not feasible. Battery tech isn't capable of holding a meaningful charge. I for one refuse to buy an electric vehicle, I'd rather buy older and older cars just to have a has engine lol

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Not at the moment, but for the very near future. It wouldn't take the long, all it would require would be a car manufacturer that wants to move to all electric and has the funds to do so. Also, just look at Tesla and you can see what those electric cars can do, just food for thought...

https://www.trucks.com/2017/10/03/ge...lectric-truck/

[cgalpha08]

Not at the moment, but for the very near future. It wouldn't take the long, all it would require would be a car manufacturer that wants to move to all electric and has the funds to do so. Also, just look at Tesla and you can see what those electric cars can do, just food for thought...

https://www.trucks.com/2017/10/03/ge...lectric-truck/

All good points, but until I can drive across the country without having to stop for an extended period of time to recharge, I'm not drinking the kool aid. Plus who doesn't like the good old rumble of a v8, or gas engine in general.

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[rascole]

Diesel hybrid maybe but never an electric, tech is not there yet. 5 days to cross the country?

[skeptic]

It's not feasible. Battery tech isn't capable of holding a meaningful charge. I for one refuse to buy an electric vehicle, I'd rather buy older and older cars just to have a has engine lol

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That's not really correct, IMHO. The problem is charge time, weight and cost, not range (mostly). http://bollingermotors.com/ Not really a Hummer replacement, but it is a big SUV with up to 200 miles range, a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds and some cool design features.

I do agree that battery tech isn't quite there yet. Once something like graphene superconductors or glass (solid state) batteries or whatever the next big breakthrough is makes it to mass production, the industry will turn on a dime. Forget about Hummers for a minute, consider when the EV version of any vehicle will cost roughly the same as the gas version with a similar range and ability to re-charge in a reasonable time for a fraction of the cost. Throw in the same or better performance and significantly reduced maintenance costs. The big question is what is "reasonable time" for re-charging. 5 minutes? 20 minutes?

The lack of v8 sounds will be missed for sure, but I'll trade improved performance, lower running costs and increased convenience (re-charging stations at home, restaurants, banks, stores and soon to be more plentiful than gas stations).

GM isn't the only, or even the first, to talk about a move to all electric vehicles. I think Volvo was the first, but most or all manufacturers are greatly expanding EVs. Hand in hand, countries (and California) are talking about and preparing to ban all vehicles other than zero-emission vehicles. It doesn't matter what we want, in the not too distant future EVs will be the best or only option.

[cgalpha08]

That's not really correct, IMHO. The problem is charge time, weight and cost, not range (mostly). http://bollingermotors.com/ Not really a Hummer replacement, but it is a big SUV with up to 200 miles range, a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds and some cool design features.

I do agree that battery tech isn't quite there yet. Once something like graphene superconductors or glass (solid state) batteries or whatever the next big breakthrough is makes it to mass production, the industry will turn on a dime. Forget about Hummers for a minute, consider when the EV version of any vehicle will cost roughly the same as the gas version with a similar range and ability to re-charge in a reasonable time for a fraction of the cost. Throw in the same or better performance and significantly reduced maintenance costs. The big question is what is "reasonable time" for re-charging. 5 minutes? 20 minutes?

The lack of v8 sounds will be missed for sure, but I'll trade improved performance, lower running costs and increased convenience (re-charging stations at home, restaurants, banks, stores and soon to be more plentiful than gas stations).

GM isn't the only, or even the first, to talk about a move to all electric vehicles. I think Volvo was the first, but most or all manufacturers are greatly expanding EVs. Hand in hand, countries (and California) are talking about and preparing to ban all vehicles other than zero-emission vehicles. It doesn't matter what we want, in the not too distant future EVs will be the best or only option.

There is no doubt the tech is coming, i'm just not happy about it. There is a whole infrastructure side to it that will need to catch up. It just doesn't appeal to me.

As far as the recharge time goes. It would have to be a full charge in about the same time as i already spend on a gas station. So think refilling from empty to full, somewhere in the 25-30 gallons that modern trucks/suvs have, so say 15 min or so, maybe a few more if i go to the bathroom and get a soda. I think the current time to fully charge a tesla is around 75 min? quick google search popped out that number. Sure tesla has managed to break the 300 mile range on a charge, but that's not that impressive considering my dads ford truck will go 700 miles on a single tank (yea that pushing it i know, point still stands though).

Just saying, yes its coming, it'll come down to the bottom dollar amount, and if its cheaper to own for the average consumer the industry will take off.

And then there is the electrical grid side of things to consider to meet the demand of that much more electrical draw. Now if more electrical cars means more nuclear power plants, sign me up.

That electric SUV thing does look pretty cool btw, not sure how well it would fare in repeated water crossings lol

[Kick'n Dust]

Well talked with my coworkers this morning and all we heard is from the media. GM hasn't said anything at the dealership level yet as far as I know. Though I think I'm going to start taking more hybrid/electric and diesel training. Commercial diesel isn't going anywhere. Maybe I need to update my resume lol

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[Ghostbuster]

I think they should bring back the H3 and make the HX. Redo the H3 interior, maybe do a small redesign of the exterior, install a new transmission, 2wd/4wd t case. Make the base engine the 3.6l v6 from the Canyons and Colorados. Provide the diesel option from the Canyons and Colorados, also the new 5.3l v8 and 6.2l v8.

Then make certain body parts out of aluminum to save weight.

You could easily get 25-30 mpg highway with something like that.

That would be great for a highly capable 4 door off road suv. I would hope for an upgrade to the IFS and front diff.

They could do this type of stuff right now.

Also, build the HX with the same drivetrain and powertrain as the “new” H3.

I think that these could rival the Jeep Wranglers. It would definitely cut into their sales.

But if you want to talk about futuristic stuff like electric Trucks and SUVs... then I think something more like a Prius system would be implemented first along with weight saving measures. Before battery tech catches up.



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[Mb30sdl]

U can't beat electrical acceleration, recently wife drove her old GL450 after driving Tesla for over a year. In her words it was a different experience "you step on gas and nothing happens for a while". We kept old car to see if full electric is something u can leave with and it's working just great for her.

charging is something that needs to be greately improved, specialy for long trips. On other hand on the way to Yellowstone Lambo Aventador passed me on H2 with loaded trailer 3 times between OC and Vegas. He needed to fill up, where I made it on one tank.

[skeptic]

There is no doubt the tech is coming, i'm just not happy about it. There is a whole infrastructure side to it that will need to catch up. It just doesn't appeal to me.

I hear this a lot, but I don't really understand. Current tech, sure, but electric will get to the point where it's better in every conceivable way just without the loud engine noises. I'll even go so far as to say at some point people will not understand why anyone would want a loud smelly combustion engine when electric is so nice and quiet.

As for infrastructure, that's probably farther along than you realize. Certainly there is quite a bit to go, but adding a charging station is trivial compared to gas stations. You can add a charging station any place with electricity, and in theory, any place you can install a solar array.

https://www.plugshare.com/

As far as the recharge time goes. It would have to be a full charge in about the same time as i already spend on a gas station. So think refilling from empty to full, somewhere in the 25-30 gallons that modern trucks/suvs have, so say 15 min or so, maybe a few more if i go to the bathroom and get a soda. I think the current time to fully charge a tesla is around 75 min? quick google search popped out that number. Sure tesla has managed to break the 300 mile range on a charge, but that's not that impressive considering my dads ford truck will go 700 miles on a single tank (yea that pushing it i know, point still stands though).

Yep. I'd even be ok with a 200 mile range if recharging time was similar to filling your tank.

Just saying, yes its coming, it'll come down to the bottom dollar amount, and if its cheaper to own for the average consumer the industry will take off.

And then there is the electrical grid side of things to consider to meet the demand of that much more electrical draw. Now if more electrical cars means more nuclear power plants, sign me up.

That electric SUV thing does look pretty cool btw, not sure how well it would fare in repeated water crossings lol

You hit a major issue that very few people talk about - what happens when everyone has an EV but the electric grid can't keep up? I don't know, but I do think solar panels + battery banks at home can make a huge impact if enough people install them.

I think they should bring back the H3 and make the HX. Redo the H3 interior, maybe do a small redesign of the exterior, install a new transmission, 2wd/4wd t case. Make the base engine the 3.6l v6 from the Canyons and Colorados. Provide the diesel option from the Canyons and Colorados, also the new 5.3l v8 and 6.2l v8.
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They could do this type of stuff right now.

I'm hoping GM comes out with a Trailblazer (or whatever they want to call it) based on the Colorado. Even though one based on the current Colorado ZR2 wouldn't be as capable as an H3 Adventure, it would be good enough for most and be a great starting point.

[cgalpha08]

As for infrastructure, that's probably farther along than you realize. Certainly there is quite a bit to go, but adding a charging station is trivial compared to gas stations. You can add a charging station any place with electricity, and in theory, any place you can install a solar array.

You hit a major issue that very few people talk about - what happens when everyone has an EV but the electric grid can't keep up? I don't know, but I do think solar panels + battery banks at home can make a huge impact if enough people install them.

I'm hoping GM comes out with a Trailblazer (or whatever they want to call it) based on the Colorado. Even though one based on the current Colorado ZR2 wouldn't be as capable as an H3 Adventure, it would be good enough for most and be a great starting point.

Yea i'm not too concerned with charging stations and that kind of infrastructure, as you said its pretty easy to add that to what already exists, 100% agree there.

My concern, as you mentioned, is the grid. With the current push to phase out coal, and the general movement away from fossil fuels, its going to be difficult to keep up with demand without some sort of major reliable power generation. I can see solar panels+ wind with a combination of batteries being used to store energy and then used during peak hours and peak demand throughout the day, especially as battery tech improves. For the long term though IMO nuclear is the way to go fix this issue. The problem is that they are very expensive to build, and no one wants to have one near them due to mis-conceptions from three mile, Chernobyl and the Japan plant. On the upside though the actual price per MWh is relatively cheap, cheaper than coal, not necessarily as cheap as natural gas (depending on what price gas is trading at). And then there are the actual transmission lines, to put it simply, more will have to be built.

I work for energy trading/power marketing firm, and we deal with this on daily basis. Heck on a hot summers day with everyone pumping their A/C units we struggle, can only imagine what plugging in a few million EV cars would do lol

Agreed, GM needs a small SUV that can compete with the likes of the 4runner, Wrangler, etc. That market is huge and they are trying to tap into into again with the ZR2. I haven't driven one, but I read somewhere that they went with another weird diff again and aftermarket companies aren't ready to support it. Pure speculation from random internet comments lol

[Hunner]

All good points, but until I can drive across the country without having to stop for an extended period of time to recharge, I'm not drinking the kool aid. Plus who doesn't like the good old rumble of a v8, or gas engine in general.

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There is an app for that! They will probably make an option to have the sound, lol

At one time there was an H3 converted by some company that claimed it was the future.

[Kick'n Dust]

The ZR2 is an expensive truck for what it is. The few I've seen on our lot run about 48k. I only paid 15k for my H3 when I bought it years ago. The price for these new Chevy trucks is ridiculous. I'll just put the parts I want on my H3 and make repairs when necessary until I can't get parts anymore. Body panels, trim and interior parts are what would become hard to find. The drivetrain can all be replaced with anything I desire. I'm hoping companies like LMC Truck will provide parts for the Hummer line like the do for Chevy, Ford and Dodge.

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[Acer4LO]

Personally I think when it comes to wheeling, the simpler, the better. Not sure how the batteries would mix if you get stuck while water fording.