Why Is The Hummer EV As Heavy As An Elephant?
It’s no secret that electric vehicles are heavier than traditional vehicles. But the Hummer EV, which is meant to be an environmentally friendly take on the ostentatious, oversized, and unnecessary Hummer H1, weighs between 4,200kg to 4,500kg. An Asian elephant weighs about 4,000kg, so what makes this vehicle this heavy?
Its 246kWh battery pack weighs about 1,287kg on its own, which makes up a quarter of the vehicle’s gross weight. GM tried to shoehorn the biggest battery pack possible to give it a range of about 500km on a single charge. The vehicle can be ordered with either a 2-motor (570hp) or 3-motor (830hp) setup, which give the Hummer EV amazing torque and towing capabilities.
The Hummer EV SUV is 5m long, 2.2m wide and about 2m tall. It’s a behemoth in comparison to anything else that is on the market right now. Then there’s the pickup version, which is 5.5m long, 2.2m wide and 2m high. Due to the massive size of these vehicles, GM gives them massive tyres to cope with the weight.
They use 18-inch, LT305/70 R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory tyres. One could also opt for the 22-inch, LT305/44 R22 options instead, which give them a more menacing stance. Both options have tyres that sit at about 89cm tall. Due to their enormity and overall weight, the Hummer is fitted with regenerative braking technology for better stopping power.
Despite the size and dimensions, the Hummer EV can sprint from 0-100km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The acceleration feat alone speaks volumes of how powerful its tri-motor setup is on the road. And due to effective regenerative braking ability, drivers only need to modulate their use of the accelerator pedal to accelerate, cruise and stop this massive vehicle.
The Hummer EV also has an air ride suspension, which not only offers a comfortable feel, but allows it to alter the ride height to offer an additional 15cm of ground clearance. This makes it easier to traverse tough and uneven terrain. Buyers can also opt for an armored undercarriage, which protects the vehicle from scraps or knocks when crossing over extreme terrain.
There’s a discussion taking place on how effective roadside barriers and guardrails are at cushioning an EV like the Hummer crashing into them. Most EVs weigh significantly more than regular cars, which makes the overall effect on whatever they hit feel far more severe.
The Hummer EV is one of the largest and heaviest EVs that are available to consumers. Due to its overall weight and battery size, many are questioning its relevance as an “environmentally friendly” vehicle for the masses.
Critics say that its characteristics go against the point of an electric vehicle. That said, its menacing presence does command attention, which is what drew many buyers to the original Hummer H1 in the first place.
