GMC has announced a partnership with EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles to develop a Hummer EV overlanding concept. The concept is set to debut in late summer this year and will preview a production version. The companies aim to create “top-tier, zero-compromise adventure vehicles” using EarthCruiser’s engineering technology.

The new Hummer SUV EV will be the platform for the concept.

Overlanding combines off-road adventure with off-the-grid vehicle camping and a do-it-yourself ethos. The concept is based on the GMC Hummer EV SUV and features a roof covered in solar cells. The overlanding concept may take the Hummer EV’s vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging capability to the next level, potentially allowing drivers to specify how much battery capacity is used for driving and how much is used for powering other features. If the concept moves to production, GMC could be at the forefront of offering such trucks as factory builds.

Here is EarthCruiser’s Terranova based on an ICE Ford Chassis. Think of a similar setup but based on a Hummer SUV and you get an idea of what’s in store for us.

Ford’s E-Transit electric vans have seen a variety of conversions,  but their 68-kWh battery capacity and lack of four-wheel drive limit their potential for overlanding. The new generation of Mercedes E-Sprinter vans arriving this year has a larger battery pack but are only offered with rear-wheel drive. Rivian has hinted at overlanding potential but has not yet released a specialized model.

Head-on shot of the 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV in Moonshot Green Matte, showcasing robust front approach skid-plate and dynamic headlights.

The Hummer EV weighs over 9,000 pounds direct from GM and nearly as much as an SUV, making it a heavy choice for overlanding. However, for those set on a large vehicle for off-grid living, it may be the only green choice. GMC, with its slogan of Professional-Grade Trucks, sees this partnership with EarthCruiser as part of its vision for the future.

GM executive engineer Josh Tavel expressed excitement about the project in a company release. GMC has not yet announced how the new version will be available but mentions its AT4 off-road sub-brand. With the Hummer EV pickup truck (SUT), Hummer EV SUV, and upcoming Sierra EV Denali electric pickup, GMC will soon have three fully electric trucks in its lineup and may offer more lifestyle extensions in the future.

I think an even better pairing would be for EarthCruiser to convert a Brightdrop van. Think of this thing lifted with two electric motors and, big off roads tires.

Electrified Mag’s Take:  ICYMI, EarthCruiser is a mega-buck overlanding vehicle conversion company that makes RVs on diesel-powered platforms. Although Winnebago is the most visible RV maker trying to decode the perfect electric RV, this collaboration is one of probably many to follow.  Although the formula of lowering a furnished box into the bed of a truck is nothing new, (see your dad’s camper van,) the pairing of these two mega brands makes us interested to see the final product.