GMC Transforms Hummer EV Into a Solar-Powered Overlander

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GMC has a new concept that might appeal to the eco-conscious adventurers out there. The automaker has teased an overlanding version of the all-electric Hummer EV pickup, featuring a solar roof and a deployable camper mounted on the bed. It looks spacious, capable, and—of course—gigantic.

The concept is a collaboration between GMC and EarthCruiser, an overlanding outfit known for RV-sized off-road builds. Their trucks are built to handle long expeditions far from pavement, with self-sufficient solar and water facilities built into highly capable platforms.

The Hummer EV is smaller than EarthCruiser’s usual builds, though with a 9000-lb curb weight, it’s closer in mass. The smaller space means it’s unlikely to have the full living quarters you’d expect from an EarthCruiser.

The key difference will be the on-board power. In addition to the giant battery pack already onboard the Hummer, the overlanding version appears to have solar panels all over the roof. These should be able to power a fridge, lighting setup, and bucket full of consumer electronics for days on end. But don’t expect it to extend your range meaningfully.

In fact, with all the extra weight in the bed, we’d expect this camper to have a significantly lower real-world range than the 329-mile EPA rating for an unladen truck. The full concept will be revealed in late September, and we imagine it’ll have a few more overlanding-specific touches.

Electrified Mag’s Take: This Hummer Overlander is a really cool concept, but battery technology and recharging infrastructure still hasn’t reached maturity for passenger cars, much less RVs. As the tech catches up, I can’t wait to see what the future brings. Clean, fast motorhomes with long-range batteries and solar panels will make Grandpa’s old “Mini Winnie” seem like 19th-century Conestoga wagons. 

As I’ve commented before, I think GM has a better platform in its stable to underpin a modern RV. Way up in Ingersoll, Canada, GM has quietly fielded a clean-sheet EV van division dubbed Brightdrop and they’re starting to show up in the wild. Yeah, it’s not a lifted overlanding rig, but for the other 90 percent of RVers who are van life folks and digital nomads, the Brightdrop van is a very exciting development. GM joins Rivian/Amazon as the leading EV van makers and I’ve seen both in person. There were many Rivian vans roaming the streets of Seattle during my visit last month and I followed a Brightdrop down Interstate 15 as I returned to Sothern California.

Both would be great RV platforms, but the Rivian looks like it’s an exile from Roger Rabbit’s Toon Town while the Brightdrop is way cooler. For those old enough to remember the van craze of the 80s, these new E-vans offer a new frontier for RVs but might ignite a new take on hippie vans and custom shaggin’ wagons too. Until then, this Hummer concept is a great harbinger of what’s to come.

 

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About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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