GM (General Motors) has initiated the development of the much-expected 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV. The manufacturing started at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant of the company. Meanwhile, GMC began assembling (on Monday, January 30) the first units of the Hummer EV SUV. The customers are expected to start receiving their Hummer EV SUV at the end of Q1.

The company is manufacturing all-electric SUVs at the same factory along with the pickup alternative of the Hummer. The Vice President of GMC and Buick Global, Duncan Aldred, delivered his words during a business roundtable. A significant ramp-up in production is scheduled for the 2nd half of 2023. However, it stopped short of specifically offering on-sale dates or planned production numbers.

GM’s Production of the Hummer EV SUV

The American truck manufacturer formerly recorded around 90,000 reservations for SUV variants of the Hummer EV and the pickup. Keep in mind that around 50% to 60% of reservations were related to the pickup. Meanwhile, GMC started production of the Hummer EV pickup in late 2021. The company also delivered around 850 units in 2022.

Last year, the assembly lines were closed for multiple weeks to prepare for the Silverado EV. The Hummer EV Edition 1 SUV 2024 features 3 electric motors providing all-wheel drive and around 830 horsepower. It enables the all-electric vehicle to speed up to 60 in just 3.5 seconds. The SUV is around 9 inches shorter compared to the pickup truck.

The SUV 2024 is equipped with the cool Crab-Walk feature to make diagonally car drive. The vehicle is capable of DC fast charge at 800 volts and around 300 kilowatts. Moreover, technology is advancing at a groundbreaking speed. There is another breakthrough that many electric vehicles are expected to operate as mobile power plants very soon. This week, GM also announced that the company is still working on this strategy.

Professionals Described Bidirectional Charging

Meanwhile, GM Energy is a new business entity that provides a series of the electric-vehicle charger. These chargers are capable to feed power back into the electric grid and the households. Professionals used the term bidirectional charging. Moreover, the Chevrolet Silverado EV is scheduled to hit the market with this functionality in the fall of 2023.

GM is also establishing a trial project with Pacific Gas & Electric Company, California. It would provide a subset of residents to utilize the new chargers. They will also get backup power during boosting heat waves and wildfires-connected power interruptions. Ultimately, it would compensate EV owners for selling the energy stored in the battery to the grid.

Futuristic Approach for Backup Power Houses

A spokesman for PG&E, Paul Doherty, issued a press statement. He said the utility and automobile industries are going through a period of evolution. However, EV batteries can provide various benefits such as home backup power, grid support, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. He said PG&E is examining pilot programs with auto manufacturers such as Tesla and Ford to discover controlled charging.

The EVs would discharge electricity to the grid during peak demand (4 pm and 9 pm) in a perfect scenario. It will charge EVs outside the peak timing when solar is inexpensive and overflowing. The director of GM’s V2X (vehicle-to-everything) and battery solutions, Mark Bole, issued a statement. He said GM Energy offers a cloud-based solution for maintaining charging and energy storage.

Ford F-150 Lightning with Bidirectional Charging

GM Energy’s solution connects with utilities and informs clients over the mobile app of the exact time of recharging. The manufacturer also coordinates with Con Edison of the New Hampshire and New York Electricity cooperation. GM Energy also announced a collaboration with Sun-Power to provide clients with a home energy system.

Sun-Power is the largest residential solar installer in the US. However, the home energy system contains solar panels and stationary battery storage. It is noteworthy that Ford F-150 Lightning also has bidirectional charging. CEO of Ford, Jim Farley, said a large number of individuals are using its trucks as power sources. They can run refrigerators, lights, and smart devices.