Kreisel Electric roped in none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger himself to unveil the world’s first all-electric Hummer H1 prototype. 

It turns out that he was just waiting for an all-electric version of the ubiquitous Army vehicle, and now he's got one. The Hummer H1 is not the kind of vehicle which one would ever expect to be electrified. 

It’s the symbol of gas-guzzling vehicles which doesn’t understand the meaning of the term “fuel economy”. So when Kreisel Electric chose the civilian model of H1 to showcase the company’s skills and expertise in electric car technology, it was hard to digest to many. 

And the company roped in none other than the celebrity who made the Hummer H1 popular in Hollywood circles – Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unveiled by Arnie at the opening of Kreisel Electric’s new research and development center in Rainbach, Mühlkreis district, Upper Austria, the Hummer H1 EV is a prototype. 

However, one look through the press material will turn the harshest critics of the Humvee into ardent admirers in not time. The all-electric Hummer H1 prototype was put together in a mere two-month time period. 

The 100 kwH batteries powering the motors on each axle are from Kreisel itself. While it’s still heavy, weighing more than 3 tonnes, the electric Hummer H1 has 483 hp of power to push its bulk around for 186 miles before the batteries need another recharge. 

Topping out at 75 mph, this chap isn’t going to upset any Teslas. But neither is it intended to be taken to a dragstrip.