EarthCruiser EV Hummer camper unveiled

A new overlanding version of the big American battery-powered off-road pick-up, the GMC Hummer EV, has broken cover at Overland Expo Mountain West in Colorado.

The rugged new go-anywhere EV expedition vehicle was designed and developed by GM in collaboration with EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles, and is being touted by its creators as the future of overlanding because it combines battery-electric technology with the versatility and off-grid independence of 4x4 touring.

Boasting a removable carbon-fibre camper body with an all-weather, tri-layered electric pop-top roof, the 542.5cm long GMC Hummer EV EarthCruiser measures 292.5cm high in Camp mode and 225cm in travel mode, and comes with a range of camping and off-road features including an outdoor shower, exterior recovery gear storage and filtered water access, lockable utility hook-ups, an exterior keypad for lighting and system control, and exterior scene lights.

Inside the camper body (which mounts on top of the rear tub and roof and is accessible through either a rear door or a ‘manhole’ above the driver’s cabin), there’s up to 200cm interior height (87.5cm above the double bed).

Internal camping features include a stainless steel sink with hot/cold water, an induction cooktop, a 7-inch diagonal touchscreen, a fridge/freezer and dimmable interior lighting. There’s also underbed storage, and a few drawers and cabinets to store other items.

For off-grid camping there’s a 460Ah lithium battery, 1500W inverter and 605W integrated rooftop solar, along with 19L fresh and 26L grey water tanks.

One of the most capable GM off-roaders to date, the GMC Hummer EV comes with a suite of standard and optional features to help it tackle tough terrain, including adjustable ride height and a Crab Walk function that allows it to move diagonally.

Its immense power and torque combine with the direct drive of its electric motors – a trait of most off-road EVs and PHEVs – to provide the big electric dual-cab with almost infinite throttle control when crawling along or up rough terrain.

The standard GMC Hummer EV is powered by three permanent magnet motors outputting about 745kW of power and 1625Nm of torque, fed by a huge 212.7kWh lithium-ion battery that takes as little as 24 minutes to charge via a 350kW DC fast-charger.

The five-seat dual-cab 4x4 pick-up weighs about 4265kg, yet is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) in just three seconds. Towing capacity is less noteworthy at 3400kg, and base pricing in North America starts at $US108,700 ($A162K).

EarthCruiser USA hasn’t listed a price yet for the GMC Hummer RV slide-on camper, although it’s hoping for it to be “under six figures”. It’s currently taking fully refundable $100 deposits on its website, with production expected to commence in 2024.