In a remarkable fusion of automotive and aerospace ambition, General Motors is deploying battery technology derived from its GMC Hummer EV to power NASA's next-generation Lunar Terrain Vehicle. Yet, back on Earth, we subjected this colossal electric truck to the ultimate test: a week of urban and highway driving to see if its interstellar aspirations translate to terrestrial practicality.
From Detroit to the Moon: GM's Cosmic Partnership
The connection is more than superficial. GM, which built the motors and suspension for the original Apollo lunar rover, is once again contributing to space exploration. The automaker is supplying battery, chassis, and autonomous driving technology for a new NASA vehicle destined to roam the lunar surface for up to a decade. The very DNA of the Hummer EV, including its innovative battery systems, is therefore space-bound.
Our test vehicle, a leviathan tipping the scales at 9,063 pounds and carrying a sticker price of $122,370, felt every bit the terrestrial prototype for this lunar mission. With its American flag-embossed pillars and a front fascia resembling a Lego brick, the Hummer EV is an unapologetic spectacle of Americana.
City Streets: A Battle of Dimensions
However, the reality of navigating this electric monument on British-style city streets quickly grounded its cosmic pretensions. Measuring 93.7 inches wide and 216.8 inches long, the Hummer EV is overwhelmingly large. Piloting it through congested urban traffic felt akin to steering a refrigerator through a narrow supermarket aisle.
Parking garages seemed to shrink around it, and lane markings became mere suggestions. A simple errand, like a drive to a coffee shop, was transformed into an operation requiring the focus of heavy machinery. It's little wonder that, according to iSeeCars, the Hummer EV is America's second least-driven vehicle, covering a mere 5,205 miles per year—less than half the national average.
The irony of its size was perfectly captured during a trip to a furniture store. Despite its gargantuan proportions, the Hummer's standard five-foot bed (extendable to nearly 6'10") could not accommodate a flat-pack bookshelf, failing at one of the most basic tasks expected of a pickup truck.
Open Road Majesty and Battery Realities
Where the Hummer EV truly redeems itself is on the motorway. A 200-mile journey proved unexpectedly pleasant. The commanding driving position offers superb visibility, and GM's SuperCruise hands-free highway system performed flawlessly, adjusting speed in construction zones and executing lane changes with confident precision.
Inside, the experience is theatrical. Our tester featured a handsome red leather interior and removable plexiglass roof panels, which created a fun, airy convertible feel on a crisp day. However, this same roof is a significant source of wind noise, making this potentially the loudest EV we've ever driven at high speed.
The energy source for this behemoth is an absurdly large 212.7 kWh battery pack—nearly three times the size of a Tesla Model 3's. While this grants substantial range through sheer brute force, real-world efficiency is not its forte. Recharging from 10% to 80% cost a substantial $72, making it more expensive to 'fill up' than many conventional petrol vehicles. Competitors from Rivian, Ford, and even GM's own Silverado EV offer more miles for your money.
The GMC Hummer EV is a fascinating paradox: a vehicle with technology destined for the moon that often feels out of place on Earth. It is more a collectible sculpture of automotive excess than a practical commuter car. While NASA may use its DNA to traverse the lunar landscape, here on Earth, GM's largest EV still feels like it was built for a different planet.
