GM's Ultium Platform Powers Off-Road Supertruck, Commercial Delivery EV

General Motors announced the deliveries of its first next-generation electric vehicles, the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 Pickup and BrightDrop EV600 light commercial vehicle, both built on the Ultium Platform, according to the company's press release.

With 30 all-new EVs planned globally through 2025, two-thirds of which will be available in the North America, GM said Ultium will be the driver of the company's expansion and next phase of growth.

“This is the first chapter for Ultium – and for GM’s transition to a zero-emissions future,” said Mark Reuss, GM president. “Both commercial and retail customers will benefit from the EV experience, from exhilarating acceleration to low cost of operation, versatility and ability to customize after the sale. GM is ideally positioned to provide EVs for every customer in every segment, retail or commercial.”

The Ultium Platform will:

• Enable GM to make nearly every type of vehicle – across its different brands and up and down the portfolio – by building everything from affordable, high-volume crossovers and passenger cars to full-size pickups and SUVs, performance, and commercial vehicles.
• Feature competitive range, performance, and overall customer-friendly integration of components
• Reduce proliferation of parts combinations used in today’s internal combustion lineups, helping enhance EV profitability.
• Enable mobility beyond GM’s own portfolio through third-party licensing of its EV technology, co-development agreements, and partnerships.

The GMC Hummer EV Pickup’s combined battery pack and body structure allows off-road proportions and protection of the vehicle’s battery, and the stability to enable features like removable Infinity Roof panels.

BrightDrop, the new tech startup from GM, said it is looking to reimagine commercial delivery and logistics for an all-electric future through products like the EV600 light commercial vehicle.

Ultium will allow BrightDrop to accelerate toward electrifying last-mile delivery and reduce vehicle emissions while also helping other companies meet their sustainability targets. BrightDrop is delivering its first EV600s to FedEx.

Factory ZERO in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan, will assemble multiple Ultium-based vehicles, including the fully autonomous Cruise Origin1 purpose-built for driverless ride hail and delivery, the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV2, the Chevrolet Silverado EV3, and the GMC electric Sierra Denali4.

GM’s next Ultium-based vehicle, the Cadillac LYRIQ, is expected to launch as scheduled in the first half of 2022 and will be assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Chevrolet Silverado EV officially debuts next month at CES.