Gas prices are always a topic in the news. However, this past year, we have seen gas prices fluctuate and then climb to historic levels of inflation. Oil companies’ crazy prices are driving more drivers away from ICE engines and closer to plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars. However, a new report suggests that performance EVs like the GMC Hummer EV might cost more to fill the battery than it costs to fill a small car’s gas tank. 

Do EVs actually save you money on gas? 

With gas prices remaining over $4/gallon in many areas of the country, many are turning to the seemingly cheaper option of driving electric cars. The feeling of driving past $5.13 a gallon knowing you can charge at home must be nice. But what happens when you go to fill your Hummer EV, and it costs over $100? Uh oh. 

Unfortunately, this is a real possibility. Car and Driver did some Hummer EV testing and found some pretty interesting, even if a little disheartening, discoveries. 

For the Hummer charging test, Car and Driver plugged the massive EV into an Electrify America station to go from 10 percent charge to 90 percent charge. Currently, charging rates at these fast chargers is $0.43 per kWh. This means to get to 90 percent costs the testers $81 after tax. Using the same math, going from 0-100 percent charge at a DC fast-charging station would cost over $100. 

Car and Driver points out that this math might read a little funny. The Hummer EV’s total battery capacity is 212.7 kWh. This number times $0.43 isn’t exactly $100, but once you factor the 6 percent Michigan sales tax and 5 percent charge loss, you get the final price. 

Keep in mind that sales tax and charging rates vary from state to state, so this number can move around a bit. However, the point stands that charging a high-capacity battery isn’t exactly cheaper. 

Hang on a minute. This feels weird.

How long does it take to charge the Hummer EV?

On the fast chargers, Car and Driver reported that it took 1 hour and 49 minutes to add the 90 percent charge. That isn’t so bad, but at the cost of $81, it’s hard to see any real benefit to the six-figure EV. 

What is the point if it isn’t much cheaper (if it is cheaper) and still takes nearly two hours to refuel? 

GM is marketing the Hummer in this EV world as the Hummer of the future. While it may be more environmentally friendly (depending on where the electricity comes from), it actually doesn’t appear very cost- or time-effective. 

This, or at least some version of this problem, is what continues to hold back EVs. While some EVs are starting to get cheaper and can charge more quickly, there remains the reality that EVs are still a novelty. Not in a bad way, but just practically. Chargers are still few and far between in many parts of the country, charging isn’t necessarily cheaper, and even in the fastest chargers in the universe, refueling simply requires time that gasoline does not. 

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is extremely rad. However, there is no way to argue that it is effcient, practical, or even good for the environment. It isn’t. It’s a 10,000-lb truck that has 1,000 hp, costs $100 bucks to fill, and nearly two hours to do so. All this comes at the initial cost of somewhere north of $100,000 and a loooong wait. The Hummer might as well be a Miata as far as practicality is concerned.