Some electric vehicles can do something that gasoline and diesel powered vehicles cannot. You can think of a few things, but specifically, EVs can charge other electric cars when properly equipped with an on-board charging system. The new Ford F-150 Lightning advertised its capability with an on-board charger, but GMC Hummer EVs haven’t had the same capability until now.
How much power did previous GMC Hummer EVs provide?
Early versions of the Hummer truck and SUVs carried an 11.5 kW on-board charger. This was not enough to effectively deliver vehicle-to-cargo (V2L) capabilities. At this power level, Hummer EVs can only power smaller accessories, according to InsideEVs.
How much horsepower will the new GMC EVs pack?
The new 2024 GMC Hummer EVs, truck and SUV models will receive a new Level 2 Onboard Charger as part of their standard equipment. This allows for two-way charging of these GMC vehicles. This new charging system will include a 19.2 kW Level 2 AC onboard charger. The new feature will come standard on SUV Edition 1, 3X and 2X trims, in addition to being offered for 3X and 2X pickup truck versions.
“You couldn’t effectively take power from the battery for this vehicle and put it into another vehicle. So on 24, we’re allowing that. The 19.2kW, Level 2 AC charger that we have on board is really the key change that enables this.” – Aaron Pfau for Automotive News
New Hummer models can support during power outages
Regardless of where you live, a natural event can occur to eliminate your power. When this happens, many homeowners rush to find solutions and store the food in their fridges, provide heat when it’s cold, or feed entertainment items.
Another accessory that GMC offers on the 2024 Hummer EVs will provide up to 3kW of power for these appliances. The next time the power goes out, you’ll have the energy to keep your fridge and freezer running through this two-way charging system.
Better late than never for GMC EVs
The GMC Hummer EV truck was one of the first full-size electric vehicles offered. This truck revolutionized the market and redefined our expectations of EVs. Until the Hummer arrived, we weren’t sure that EVs could do much more than run cleanly in small packages. The GMC has taken a huge leap forward with incredible off-road capability (Crab Mode), incredible acceleration (Watts to Freedom) and impressive obstacle solutions (Extract Mode). Seems like this truck should have already included a proper V2L system.
When the Ford F-150 Lightning arrived, it included the option of a 19kW on-board charger to power appliances or other vehicles, although I don’t imagine the same battery size as the Hummer. The 212kWh battery in the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 certainly has the charging potential to provide V2L charging and will now have that capability.
This new integrated two-way charging system could be a game changer when those 2024 GMC Hummer EVs are out on the trails. Do you think this new system will make a difference for most Hummer EV owners?