Truck Rewind: HUMMER O2 Concept – Failed Redemption

Hummer O2 Concept
Hummer O2 Concept [Photo: General Motors]

Did you know HUMMER designed a concept for a 100% recyclable electric vehicle?

GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio, based in Hollywood, CA, imagined the HUMMER O2 Concept back in 2006. It won the Design Challenge for the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. The requirements of the design competition was to build a 100% recyclable vehicle that has a 60-month (5-year) lifespan.

Hummer O2 ConceptFour electric/hydraulic motors are located in and power each wheel. The hydrogen power cell is located in the middle of the vehicle and, aside from providing power to the motors, it supplies water to the hydraulic system. This HUMMER can ration out water to the algae-filled body panels as well.Hummer O2 Concept

The HUMMER O2 Concept has algae-filled body panels that comprises a phototropic body enclosure. The hexagonal structure looks more organic than technical. It forms a safety cage that the body panels open and close on. The panels actually convert carbon-monoxide into pure oxygen. Then they redistributed oxygen both inside and outside the vehicle.

The General Motors designers wanted the HUMMER O2 Concept to be the greenest vehicle.

Its tires actually change shape to allow for optimum traction on the street and off-road. They pull apart to allow the fairly flat tread to transform into an aggressive tread pattern. With an electric hydraulic pump powering each wheel, and with its excellent approach and departure angles, it’s possible that the HUMMER O2 Concept may have had serious off-road potential.

 

Hummer O2 Concept
[Photo: General Motors]

A HUMMER ahead of its time?

Sadly, the HUMMER O2 Concept remained on paper and GM never built a working model. Sure, there was another company that built golf-cart-like electric versions of the HUMMER, but it was more of a gimmick than anything else. GM never equipped it with anything making it off-road worthy either.

Having something this advanced on our roads within 10 to 15 years is a real possibility. Funny to think that the HUMMER company had this much “green” imagination.

Speaking of HUMMER…check out the video below on our TFLtruck channel!

Nathan Adlen
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.