- The Hummer EV in Europe is too heavy for a conventional driver’s license
- Do American drivers have to worry?
- Is the Hummer EV in Europe worth the extra trouble?
The civilian Hummer of the late 90s to 2000s, while beloved by many, had a rough time finding its footing. It was much bigger than other vehicles in its class, had many blind spots, and suffered from poor fuel economy. After the financial recession in 2010, combined with increasing gas prices, Hummer’s sales were too low to justify its existence. But what about the Hummer EV in Europe?
The revived GMC Hummer is already one step ahead of its predecessor’s shortcomings with its all-electric powertrain. It will be available as either a pickup truck or an SUV, and GM even wants to bring it overseas. However, if that happens, European drivers must take extra steps before buying one.
The Hummer EV in Europe is too heavy for a conventional driver’s license
GMC Hummer EV | Getty Images
Jalopnik tells us that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) limit of a non-commercial European driver’s license is 7,716 pounds. The GVWR is the weight of the vehicle itself, plus its payload and max passenger capacity.
The GVWR of the GMC Hummer EV is 10,550 pounds. European drivers couldn’t even get away with driving one without any passengers or cargo: it weighs 9,063 pounds on its own. European customers would have to apply for the equivalent of a CDL license to legally operate it.
Do American drivers have to worry?
It might seem strange to need a CDL license for anything besides a semi or bus, but it’s sometimes required by law. For example, in the U.S., you need a CDL license to drive any vehicle that can seat 16 or more passengers.
While it’s still a massive vehicle, the Hummer is well within the acceptable range limits for a standard American driver’s license. A vehicle has to have a GVWR over 26,000 pounds before you’d need a CDL license to drive it.
GM hikes Hummer EV price by over $6,000 as commodity, shipping costs rise https://t.co/pDaFg7AhUA pic.twitter.com/w4zs8e0RhE
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To apply for a trucking license in the UK, you must be at least 18 years old and already have a regular driver’s license. You’ll also have to take three written tests about driving safety and relevant case studies related to truck driving. Once you’ve passed those, you’ll take a practical demonstration test.
All of these tests require fees, according to European Lorry Driving. Paying for all four tests could cost the equivalent of $335. You must log 35 hours of training every five years just to keep your license.
Is the Hummer EV in Europe worth the extra trouble?
The GMC Hummer EV has four trims that will be released periodically. Those who ordered the Hummer Edition 1 will get theirs first, likely at the beginning of 2023. It comes with 1,000 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard AWD.
According to MotorTrend, it can propel itself to 60 mph in 3 seconds, making it faster than several cars half its size. The tri-motor setup also reportedly gets 315 miles of range. The pickup model’s towing, and payload capacity are less impressive, only 7,500 and 1,300 pounds respectively.
Still, we know it will be an impressive off-roader with 13 inches of suspension travel and up to 16 inches of ground clearance. It’s also riding on 35-inch tires and has an adjustable air suspension.
The GMC Hummer EV will also have Super Cruise autonomous driving and a quirky “Crab Walk” mode. This allows all four wheels to move in the same direction, making it easier to maneuver into parking spaces or narrow trails.
It’s worth noting that the most powerful version of the GMC Hummer costs over $110,000. The cheaper dual-motor versions won’t be produced for at least another year or two—plenty of time for European drivers to decide if it’s worth getting CDL-certified to drive one.
Keyword: GM Wants to Sell the Hummer EV in Europe, but a CDL Will Be Needed to Drive It