Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • 2021 Canadians To Watch
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Electric Vehicles
April 07, 2022 09:00 AM

GMC Hummer EV has a cool Canadian connection

The new GMC Hummer EV was rigorously tested at at one of GM’s most remote cold weather facilities in Kapuskasing, Ont., more than 800 km north of Toronto

Petrina Gentile
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    2023 GMC Hummer EV
    GENERAL MOTORS

    GM’s Canadian Technical Centre software and infotainment teams in Oshawa and Markham, Ont. also played a vital role in creating and testing the screens and apps for the Hummer’s customer interface

    GMC’s first electric vehicle, the Hummer EV, is built at General Motors’ new Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit-Hamtramck, Mich., but it also has a cool Canadian connection.

    It was rigorously tested at one of GM’s most remote cold weather facilities in Kapuskasing, Ont., more than 800 kilometres north of Toronto.

    “GM is the only manufacturer in North America that owns its own cold-weather proving facility and validates to the extent that we do,” said Josh Walton, operations leader at GM’s Kapuskasing Proving Grounds.

    The cold weather test facility, which opened in 1973, spans 272 acres and includes a four-kilometre test track, a 13-vehicle garage, a battery lab, and two vehicle testing lines.

    The Hummer EV pickup was put through its paces at the facility last November in the snow and frigid temperatures - minus 25 degrees Celsius at that time. Working around the clock, 24/7, the test cycle lasts 12 weeks, which is equivalent to two years of customer cold weather driving, according to Walton. Dozens of engineers and staff drivers tested everything from the windows, to make sure they roll down in the deep freeze, to the finishes and stitching on the dash, to one of the most important features on the EV, the Hummer’s high voltage Ultium battery.

    The 24-module double-stacked battery configuration has an estimated range of up to 529 kilometres. But range can drop quickly in extremely cold temperatures, so this facility is crucial in identifying any issues with the battery before it comes to market.

    At the facility, EVs have a different benchmark on the battery systems, compared to their internal combustion engine, or ICE, counterparts.

    “You want to see how the battery pack performs,” said Walton. “We have different range valuations that we execute on track. We’ll drive these vehicles at different set temperature ranges, minus 20 or minus 30 [degrees Celsius]. We drive those vehicles in the exact same conditions. It’s a repeatable evaluation to do that range evaluation to normalize and get a good grasp of that battery performance and temperature.”

    GM’s new Ultium battery platform performed “very well in cold weather because of the conditioning cycle they’re constantly going through while they’re plugged in,” added Walton.

    Related Article
    Hummer EV is GM's model for developing vehicles faster

    GM’s Canadian Technical Centre software and infotainment teams in Oshawa and Markham, Ont. also played a vital role in creating and testing the screens and apps for the Hummer’s customer interface. They helped develop some of the semi-autonomous driving technology in the EV such as the Enhanced Lane Keep Assist and Super Cruise with Lane Change on Demand. The technology was tested and validated at the CTC McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track and Ontario Tech University’s ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel in Oshawa, Ont., according to Michelle Burnham, senior product communications manager at General Motors Canada.

    GM is aiming to deliver 30 new EVs by 2025 including electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Blazer, and Chevrolet Equinox, which will also be tested in Kapuskasing, Ontario.

    The Hummer EV arrives in Canada in December, as a 2023 Edition 1 model followed by the Hummer EV2, EV2x, EV3x. Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but in the United States the 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 starts at US$110,295. Future models will begin at US$79,995.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Canada's ElectraMeccanica among those vying for a spot in urban delivery space
    Recommended for You
    Canada's ElectraMeccanica among those vying for a spot in urban delivery space
    Canada's ElectraMeccanica among those vying for a spot in urban delivery space
    Imperial Oil signs deal with E3 Lithium to advance pilot project as EV demand rises
    screen-MAIN_i.png
    GM launches feature to simplify public charging
    Left to right: Farid Ahmad, John Chisholm 7
    Sponsored Content: Expert insights: The keys to successful dealership succession planning
    Digital Edition
    June 2022 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • 2021 Canadians To Watch
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS