More Power to Ya: GM Might Make an EV Pickup. Maybe.

Hardly a month goes by without a manufacturer expressing an interest in making an all-electric truck for the masses. Indie manufacturers like Bollinger and Rivian have lit a fire under the traditional automakers playing in this segment, with Ford confirming last week that it is planning an EV F-150.

Perhaps predictably, General Motors quickly jumped on the bandwagon after the Blue Oval news, with top brass uttering phrases about electrification as it relates to their line of pickup trucks.

Today’s truck shoppers shouldn’t put aside their purchase plans, though; it seems The General won’t be acting on these ideas anytime soon.

Speaking to CNBC, Duncan Aldred, veep of GMC, says the brand is looking at electrifying its heaviest trucks. Hardly a resounding endorsement, but it at least puts the topic on their corporate roadmap.

“Certainly, it’s something we’re considering,” Aldred said when asked about an electrified Sierra. The outlet reports he would not confirm if development is already underway. Last year, CEO Mary Barra said in an interview the carmaker is on a “path to an all-electric future.”

Don’t forget: Electrification doesn’t necessarily mean all–electric.

Battery technology is eye-wateringly expensive. Recall the late Sergio Marchionne speaking ill of the diminutive Fiat 500e, a machine about which he said FCA lost $20,000 on every one they made. Plugging EV tech into a truck makes more sense, since they are already laden with profits and could possibly eat some of the extra production costs. Car makers aren’t fond of giving up their cash cows, however.

GM has zapped a few electrons into its pickup trucks in the past. Way back in 2004, the Silverado Hybrid used a 14kW integrated flywheel starter-generator, replacing the alternator and traditional starter to take over shutoff, startup, and charging duties. The system allowed the engine to turn off under certain conditions, potentially saving fuel and limiting emissions. It added $2,500 and approximately 1.0 to 1.5 mpg to the sticker.

Years later, the Tahoe Hybrid was able to run for brief periods, under certain conditions, purely on electric power. Its 6.0-liter V8 teamed up with a pair of 80 hp electric motors to provide a meaningful bump in mileage — an increase of up to to 5 mpg in mixed driving was reported by some outlets at the time.

So a precedent exists. Lately, General Motors is talking loudly about moving development dollars away from research on hybrids and into all-electric tech. Pure EVs are known for making gobs of torque right off the line, a trait which could be twisted into hauling prowess if approached correctly.

Note as well that the report states Aldred mentioned the company is looking at electrifying its ‘heaviest trucks’ which could mean anything from the half-ton or HD line to its enormous Class 6 chassis cabs.

[Image: General Motors]