Most people who drive the GMC Hummer EV leave with an added deal of worry and disappointment. It’s a mediocre and gimmicky electric vehicle, ruined by its excesses, just like the Hummer H1 that encouraged it. We may have just as easily converted them into electric vehicles. But it turns out that when North American Electric Vehicles does that, you end up with a truck that’s better in almost every way, at least off-road.
These are fighting words contrary to an electric pickup truck with superlative specs. A Hummer EV has up to 1,000 horsepower, 16 inches of floor clearance, and a claimed maximum diversity of 381 miles (which the EPA will never verify). However, a single vehicle comes at a price: it contains about 205 kilowatt-hours of batteries, weighing a ton and a half. The resulting curb weight of 9,000 pounds compromises maneuverability, ruins efficiency, and increases the chances of being maimed if you mess up on the trails.
But NAEV’s H1 electric cars don’t have this problem because they’re much lighter than the GMC.
NAEV told us that its “Cyber-Hummers” weigh between 4,500 and 6,000 pounds depending on the length of the battery, which ranges from 75 to 150 kWh. These Tesla packs are housed in the lower part of the frame, just like in the GMC. allowing them to drive “two orders of magnitude better” than stock ones, according to NAEV.
By injecting power into Tesla’s powertrains, the Cyber-Hummers can also generate 1000 hp, which is still smart to achieve 0-60 force in less than 3. 5 seconds (maybe even wheelies). These propulsion assemblies can be supplied with locking differentials, complementing an astonishing 18-inch ground clearance and calibrated off-road traction programming.
Range is strong too, with NAEV estimating up to 300 miles. Because it borrows its charging systems from Teslas, Cyber-Hummers have NACS charging ports that give them access to the biggest charging networks in the country. They also get all-new interiors, complete with enough touchscreens to enrapture an iPad Kid.
NAEV says its conversions are completely turnkey, and that you can order one without a donor truck. But you’ll have to wait at least six months, and be able to fork over at least $99,000—about what you’d pay for the GMC. They’re only gonna make 18 of them next year too, and while NAEV plans to double production every year through 2026, there are only gonna be so many to go around. Especially when Hummer EV owners cash out their trust funds to buy a spot in line.
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