We get behind the wheel of both the new GMC Hummer EV and the Rivian R1T electric pickups for a head-to-head comparison. How do these first-to-market American electric pickups stack up?
If the words “battery-electric vehicle” (BEV) bring up images of a small, slow, and quirky product like the Nissan Leaf, you may be in for a big surprise in the months ahead. Literally, quite big.
The number of BEVs on the road will jump from a baker’s dozen at the end of the 2021 model year to more than 50 by late 2022. And that will include an assortment of large, long-range, high-performance products like the new Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV.
They are, in fact, the first two of what could be, by mid-decade, anywhere from seven to 10 all-electric pickups. A list that eventually will include the Tesla Cybertruck, the Ford F-150 Lightning, battery-powered versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500, and an assortment of startup offerings, like the Bollinger B2.
Set to reach showrooms before the end of the year, the Rivian and GMC Hummer pickups will make their debuts in First Edition limited-edition form, the two automakers clearly intent on showing everything that their new products are capable of.
I got my first chance to find out what they offer — and how they compare during a recent back-to-back drive of the debut models of both the R1T and the Hummer EV.
Common Ground
Let’s start by looking at what they have in common. The initial versions won’t come cheap. The Rivian R1T Launch Edition starts at $73,000, while the GMC Hummer Edition 1 carries a base price of $112,595 — making it the most expensive factory pickup ever.
![2022 Rivian R1T - driving rear 3-4 2022 Rivian R1T - driving rear 3-4](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-driving-rear-3-4-700x470.jpg)
The Rivian and the Hummer share the ability to travel at least 300 miles per charge.
Each is based on an entirely new, skateboard-like platform placing batteries and motors below their load floors. That offers a number of advantages in terms of the way their cargo and passenger compartments are laid out. With no driveshaft to worry about, the R1T features a “Gear Tunnel” storage compartment below the cargo bed and ahead of the rear wheels.
The two products also take advantage of the tremendous torque that electric motors can deliver. That means 0-60 launch times of around 3 seconds, the ability to not just go off-road but also to handle some serious rock crawling, and plenty of muscle to do what you expect from a full-size pickup.
![2022 GMC Hummer - rear 3-4 driving 2022 GMC Hummer - rear 3-4 driving](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-GMC-Hummer-rear-3-4-driving-700x525.jpg)
No Clones Here
![2022 GMC Hummer 2022 GMC Hummer](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-GMC-Hummer-700x525.jpg)
![2022 Rivian R1T - parked 2022 Rivian R1T - parked](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-parked-700x525.jpg)
![2022 Rivian R1T - frunk 2022 Rivian R1T - frunk](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-frunk-700x525.jpg)
![2022 Rivian R1T - Gear Tunnel storage open 2022 Rivian R1T - Gear Tunnel storage open](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-Gear-Tunnel-storage-open-700x525.jpg)
Tech Touch
![2022 Rivian R1T - IP and screens lit 2022 Rivian R1T - IP and screens lit](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-IP-and-screens-lit-700x525.jpg)
![2022 GMC Hummer - interior handout 2022 GMC Hummer - interior handout](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-GMC-Hummer-interior-handout-700x467.jpg)
![2022 Rivian R1T - touchscreen close-up 2022 Rivian R1T - touchscreen close-up](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-touchscreen-close-up-700x525.jpg)
Plenty of Muscle
![2022 Rivian R1T - charge port 2022 Rivian R1T - charge port](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-charge-port-700x525.jpg)
Gobs of Power
Off-Road Ready
![2022 Rivian R1T - on trail 2022 Rivian R1T - on trail](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-Rivian-R1T-on-trail-700x467.jpg)
Two Good Options
![2022 GMC Hummer - driving - handout 2022 GMC Hummer - driving - handout](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/10/2022-GMC-Hummer-driving-handout-700x353.jpg)