U.S. Army to Trial GMC Hummer EVs to Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Following the announcement that the U.S. Army has selected startup Canoo to supply electric vehicles for evaluation, comes news that GM Defense will also supply the Army with vehicles that run solely on electricity.

GM Defense, the military products arm of General Motors, announced Wednesday that it will supply the GMC Hummer EV in response to the Army's request for small to large EVs for operational and garrison use.

The request is part of the Army's strategy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The Army is also evaluating hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles, and GM Defense has previously supplied a fuel cell powered Chevrolet Colorado concept vehicle.

Hummer as a brand was originally established in 1992 to provide a civilian version of the Humvee developed by AM General for the military, and now the reverse is happening, with vehicles originally developed for civilian use being supplied to the military.

GM Defense has not indicated whether it will supply standard Humvee EVs or those built specifically for the military, such as the fuel cell-powered Colorado concept.

The standard Hummer EVs would certainly have all the performance required for a military vehicle, provided that charging infrastructure is available. The top-of-the-line model has 1,000 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 3 seconds, a range of 329 miles, and a battery capable of fast charging up to 350 kW. kW's high output means that it can add 100 miles of range on just a 10-minute charge.