Electric mobility in Pakistan is still in its infancy, but every so often, a vehicle appears that grabs attention simply by existing. Among them is the GMC Hummer EV SUV — and there’s only one in the country. The proud owner, Nauman, shared his experience with this electric giant, offering a rare glimpse into what it’s like to live with such an unconventional choice on Pakistani roads.
What Exactly Is It?
Nauman’s vehicle is the 2023 GMC Hummer EV SUV – Edition One, the top-of-the-line variant. Edition One isn’t just about luxury; it comes with higher horsepower, advanced components, and features that make it stand apart even within the Hummer lineup.
Why the SUV and Not the Pickup?
While many Americans opt for the Hummer pickup, Nauman deliberately chose the SUV. “Pickups look unfinished,” he explained. “An SUV has more presence and balance.” His driving style — cruising at steady city speeds rather than rough off-road adventures — made the SUV a better fit for his lifestyle.
A Taste for Unusual Cars
This isn’t Nauman’s first statement-making purchase. He previously owned a Toyota Fortuner and a BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, both choices that lean toward exclusivity rather than everyday practicality. What drew him to the Hummer EV, though, was its mix of size, futuristic looks, and sheer performance. A viral video of the Hummer outrunning a Lamborghini in a drag race sealed the deal.
Raw Performance in a Colossal Frame
Despite weighing over four tons, the Hummer EV SUV rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. Nauman tested the claim himself right after importing it and confirmed the figures. For context, that’s quicker than most sports cars seen in Pakistan.
Features That Turn Heads
Owning a Hummer EV isn’t just about acceleration. Some of its standout features include:
- Crab Walk Mode: The rear wheels turn with the front, allowing the SUV to move diagonally. It’s a party trick that never fails to attract stares.
- 360° Cameras & Sensors: Despite its bulk, the Hummer is surprisingly manageable in tight Pakistani streets.
- Luxury Interior: A Bose sound system, smartphone integration, heated seats, and a long list of comfort features make it every bit a modern luxury SUV.
- Removable Roof Panels: A T-top style roof offers an open-air experience, though Nauman wishes it had been motorized.
The Battery Challenge
- Capacity: ~220 kWh usable (268 kWh total)
- Claimed Range: About 530 km (330 miles)
- Charging Reality: On a standard 7 kW home charger, it takes 35–38 hours for a full charge.
Pakistan’s limited charging infrastructure complicates matters further. With incompatible plugs and scarce DC charging options, Nauman had to rely on makeshift solutions and help from friends until his own charger was set up.
The Financials
Importing such a rare EV is not for the faint-hearted:
- Vehicle Cost: PKR 65–70 million
- Registration Fees:
- Sindh: A few thousand rupees
- Punjab: PKR 2.5–3 million
- Islamabad: PKR 5–6 million
Although Pakistan touts EV incentives, the Hummer’s massive size meant Nauman barely benefited from them.
Day-to-Day Comfort
Surprisingly, the Hummer works reasonably well as a daily driver. The rear seats are spacious, the cameras make maneuvering less stressful, and Nauman quickly adapted to driving a left-hand-drive vehicle on local roads.
Cybertruck vs. Hummer
Nauman briefly considered Tesla’s Cybertruck, but delays in production and his preference for the Hummer’s more traditional — yet aggressive — design swayed him. For him, the Hummer has more presence and looks less experimental than Tesla’s offering.
The Verdict
The GMC Hummer EV SUV Edition One is unlike anything else in Pakistan. It’s powerful, futuristic, and undeniably a head-turner. Yet it also highlights the challenges of adopting EVs in a country where infrastructure hasn’t caught up.
For Nauman, those hurdles are secondary. As he puts it:
“A car should be a head-turner. If nobody notices it on the road, you might as well drive a Civic or Alto.”
