Hello, Interested Truck Shopper! Let‘s Closely Compare the GMC Hummer EV and Chevy Silverado EV

So you‘re excited by the tidal wave of new electric pickup trucks hitting the market? As an EV industry analyst who has test driven both the GMC Hummer EV and Chevy Silverado EV pre-production prototypes, I‘m thrilled to take a data-driven deep dive to compare and contrast these exciting new models.

You likely know the Hummer EV as an audacious off-road beast revealed in a splashy Super Bowl ad featuring Lebron James. While the Silverado EV might seem familiar – taking the best-selling US pickup into the electric era. But there is so much more to the story…

Hummer EV: Show-Stopper for the Eco-Adventure Lifestyle

When it debuted the GMC Hummer EV in October 2020, GM aimed to shock the world with an all-electric reinvention of an iconic gas-guzzling brand. Early reactions indicate they succeeded in dramatic fashion!

Let‘s look at what makes the 2022 Hummer EV Edition 1 such a radical trendsetter:

Key Specs:

- Range: 329 miles (EPA est.) 
- Power: 1000 HP / 11,500 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph: 3 seconds  
- Battery Capacity: 200+ kWh (estimated)
- Maximum Charging: 350 kW

Pricing: 

- Hummer EV Edition 1: Starting at $112,595 
- Hummer EV3X: Starting at $99,995 (available Spring 2023)  

Production/Availability:

- Edition 1: Already in production, sold out for 2022
- EV3X: Coming in Spring 2023, reservations open      

Unique Features:  

- Removable Sky Panels & Power Rear Window
- CrabWalk: Diagonal 4-Wheel Steering 
- Extract Mode: Enables diagonal climbing  
- Watts to Freedom: 0-60 in 3 Sec Launch Mode

Clearly this sets a totally new bar for off-road runtime and performance!

Early test drives praise the Hummer EV‘s smooth powerful delivery and high-tech augmented reality displays. Onereviewer exclaimed:

"It drives shockingly well for weighing more than 3 Honda Civics!"

Make no mistake – with its limited production volumes and elite pricing, the Hummer EV targets a rarefied echelon of eco-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

Let‘s see how the everyman Silverado EV compares…

Silverado EV: The Electric Pickup for Work & Family

Rather than shock & awe, the 2024 Silverado EV truck takes an evolutionary approach – adapting Chevy‘s perennially best-selling franchise to an all-electric platform.

As the second vehicle debut on GM‘s Ultium Platform, the Silverado EV aims bring no-compromise capabilities plus advanced technology packaged for widespread adoption:

Key Specs

- Range: 450 miles (EPA confirmed)  
- Power: 664 HP / 780 lb-ft torque
- 0-60 mph: < 4.5 seconds
- Battery Capacity: Unknown  
- Maximum Charging: 350 kW

Pricing:  

- Silverado EV WT (Work Truck):  Starts at $39,900
- Silverado EV RST: Starts at $107,000

Production/Availability

- RST First Edition: Available Fall 2023   
- WT Fleet Models: Available Mid-2024

Note the huge range in pricing between mainstream work-oriented fleet models and the flagship consumer RST model.

So while falling short of the mighty Hummer‘s raw power, the Silverado EV actually leads in two key areas:

Range – delivering an EPA-verified 450 miles per charge giving it long legs for work sites or family trips

Flexibility – with robust charging options, clever Multi-Flex cargo configs plus advanced tech features baked in across all models

As one GM engineering executive told reporters:

"We view the Silverado EV as an electric horse – customized for America‘s truck owners to meet the needs of work and life".

So while it can‘t battle the Hummer EV in extreme off-road theatrics, the Silverado EV may prove more versatile for most real-world use cases.

Let‘s dig deeper…

Side-By-Side Model Lineup Comparison

With both vehicle lines slated to evolve over many years, taking a closer look at the model variations coming to market can illustrate key priorities:

This lineup preview tells an interesting story:

• Both lead with special models for early adopters at over $100k
• GMC starts exclusive but expands via lower trim tiers
• Chevy leads more mass-market then builds down to work-oriented value pricing

So while their model lineups will eventually cover a wide range of capabilities and pricing – initial targets showcase their divergent characters.

The Hummer EV bursts onto the scene as a one-of-a-kind adventure truck for the eco-elite. Meanwhile the Silverado EV strategy looks to electrify its best-selling formula with the broadest appeal.

Now that we‘ve covered the high-level vehicle DNA – let‘s scrutinize how these two interpretations of the Ultium platform compare…

Diving Into the Details: Specs, Features & Capabilities

Both trucks are just at the outset of their production runs – so specs and conclusions today come largely from manufacturer announcements, executive statements and preview test drives rather than rigorous real-world testing.

So I‘ll cite GM sources as well public validation from third parties like Consumer Reports and Jalopnik where available.

Range & Charging

Winner: Silverado EV

The Silverado EV‘s 450 mile EPA range certification bests internal targets and steamrolls the 329 mile Hummer EV. This gives it confidence to truly replace your fossil fuel pickup for most duties.

DC Fast charging rates are identical at 350 kW for both models. But the Silverado EV provides way more charging flexibility with standard dual-level onboard chargers supporting:

• Level 2 (240V) charging
• 120V home charging via regular outlet

That adaptability proves valuable for work sites or rural locations where high power DC fast chargers are sparse.

Performance & Capability

Winner: Hummer EV

There‘s no contest when it comes to acceleration, with the 3-second 0-60 mph sprint of Watts-to-Freedom rocketing the Hummer EV into supercar territory.

Adding to its credentials off-road are features like:

• 4-wheel steering enabling exceptional maneuverability
• Crab Walk allowing traversal at steep angles
• Extract Mode raising the air suspension for amazing ground clearance

As one impressed car reviewer gushed:

"The Hummer EV simply dominated the rocks and hills of Moab like nothing I‘ve ever seen"

Comparatively, the Silverado EV is tuned more for work site duties like towing and hauling. GM quotes a maximum tow rating over 10,000 lbs for certain models – which is certainly no slouch!

So while it can‘t keep pace with the Hummer EV‘s theatrics off-road, the Silverado EV strikes a more balanced tuning.

Interior Experience

Winner: Hummer EV

Interior appointments showcase the divergent personalities of each truck.

The Hummer EV pushes the boundaries on every front – embedding 3 bold screens spanning door-to-door, opening the cabin with removable roof panels, and rocking 4-wheel steering for unconventional maneuverability.

Reviewers praise the crisp augmented reality overlays displaying off-road data and the unique Lunar Horizon paint themes setting a distinctive mood.

By contrast, the Silverado EV takes an evolutionary approach – adapting proven features like the Multi-Flex Midgate from earlier Chevy trucks into an EV context. It focuses connectivity via its Google Built-in suite for maps, voice and apps.

So while certainly more reserved than theEnvelope-pushing Hummer EV – the Silverado EV offers smart touches aligned to its workhorse ethos.

Technology Platform

Winner: Tie

This face-off is a study in contrast not only for styling and performance – but also the underlying technology platforms powering these trucks.

The skateboard-like Ultium Platform provides the foundation for both vehicles – with wireless battery modules offering flexibility to scale range. Both also feature an independent front and rear suspension for greater handling precision.

However within that shared platform, we see divergence:

• The Hummer EV maxes out performance with a 3-motor configuration putting a drive unit on both axles plus another upfront. This unlocks advanced torque vectoring for extreme off-roading.

• Comparatively the Silverado EV adopts a more conventional layout with one motor per axle targeting work-duty optimization.

So while Ultium enables this broad flexibility – we see its specialized manifestation in each vehicle.

The Hummer EV stretches Ultium‘s capabilities further while the Silverado EV strikes a more familiar configuration. Two visions of GM‘s future – built upon the same remarkable foundations.

Positioning Two Sides of the Same Coin

Stepping back from the tech and specs – these trucks encapsulate two interpretations of GM‘s electric ambitions:

The Hummer EV pushes boundaries and sparks passion – rebooting a notorious icon into an aspirational off-road beast featuring the latest technology.

Comparatively, the Silverado EV takes loyalists into the electric future while promising the capabilities they rely upon. It aims to convert pragmatic traditionalists rather than shock & awe early adopters.

Both are powerful showcases of GM‘s Ultium Platform – but tailored very deliberately for their target customer.

The Hummer EV is an unapologetic manifesto to inspire a future roadmap for the brand. Meanwhile the Silverado EV seeks to smoothly transition a loyal following into the electric era.

Two visions – finding balance on the same high wire defined by GM‘s EV strategy.

So which jumps higher and stretches possibilities further? We expect the Hummer EV to continue generating buzz – but anticipate the Silverado EV will appeal to the masses over time.

The Bottom Line

This showdown highlights GM‘s expanding electric pickup portfolio – catering to vastly different customers but sharing an advanced EV platform.

The Hummer EV makes no compromises to set new extremes as an off-road e-pickup built to elevate the GMC brand.

While the Silverado EV balances capabilities for work and family needs – promising to electrify Chevy‘s best-selling pickup pedigree.

Both trucks push boundaries in their own way while giving early glimpses of GM‘s electrified truck future.

I‘m energized to watch how these exciting new chapterS unfold! Let me know if you have any other questions in your shopping process – happy to dig deeper into these rapid evolutions in the pickup world.