The one-ubiquitous GMC Hummer became a celebrity staple in the 2000s, but the 2007 financial crisis followed by skyrocketing gas prices led to its discontinuation by General Motors in 2010.
An electrified
rebrand of the iconic car is in the works, but did you know that long before it became a favorite of Mike Tyson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was first a military vehicle? The Drive
reported that the U.S. Army has purchased a 2022 GMC Hummer EV to use for military testing. Read on with the car ownership experts at Jerry about the new GMC Hummer EV. The origins of the GMC Hummer
According to History.com
, In 1983, the U.S. Pentagon commissioned a special project worth more than $1 billion to AM General Corporation. The U.S. Military needed 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) to transport troops and cargo. Nicknamed the “Humvee,” these vehicles drew civilian attention when they were used in several high-profile U.S. military operations.
AM General Corporation began to develop a civilian version of the Humvee, and in 1992, the first batch of Hummers went on sale.
The first Hummer weighed in at a whopping 8,000 lbs and got less than 10 miles per gallon, but that didn’t stop it from developing a robust fanbase.
In 1999, General Motors produced the rights to start making the Hummer and created a smaller, less expensive version of the original model known as the Hummer H2.
In 2005, an even smaller and more fuel-efficient version of the Hummer, the H3 was released. The H3 weighed 4,800 pounds and got about 16 to 20 miles per gallon of gas, but its time was short-lived.
By 2009, GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and by 2010, the Hummer was no more.
Why the military bought the Hummer EV
Over a decade later and with a new electric powertrain, the Hummer could be going back to its military roots after all. Much like almost every other industry right now, the U.S. Army is aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, and the Hummer EV could prove very useful.
The Hummer EV not only delivers in build and performance, offering a full 1,000 horsepower and 15.9 inches of ground clearance, but it has other potential uses as well. One avenue that is being explored is its potential as a mobile power source.
The Hummer EV can output up to three kW from its 120-volt power outlets, or can otherwise be configured with a six-kW, 240-volt outlet intended for charging other EVs
. In spite of its sizeable heft and high-performance optics, the Hummer EV has a decent range as well. It has an EPA-rated range estimate of 329 miles on a single charge and is capable of DC fast charging at 350 kW via its 800-volt battery architecture.
MORE: The GMC Hummer EV Is Ridiculous in All the Right Ways
How to save money on a Hummer EV
With a car like an electric Hummer, you get all the power and pizazz of a Hummer with none of the high gas prices or negative environmental impact.
One downside to electric cars is that due to their higher price point and specialized parts, they can be expensive to insure. Make you’re always getting the best deal with the Jerry
app. Jerry is a car ownership super app. In the time that it takes you to fill out the introductory form, you’ll be connected to instant insurance savings from 55+ major providers and their policies in less than a minute.
Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
Nervous about the hassle of changing plans? Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy. Jerry customers save an average of over $800 per year!
MORE: The GMC Hummer EV Is Already Getting a Price Hike
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