Electric Toyota Hilux one step closer with Pickup EV concept

December 16, 2021January 4, 2022 Toby Hagon 14799 Views Toyota

An all-electric version of the Toyota Hilux is nearing – and here’s the proof.

Toyota has shown off its Pickup EV concept, which gives a glimpse of an upcoming electric ute that looks set to form the foundations of an EV Hilux.

The battery electric ute is one of about 15 new EVs Toyota plans to build by 2030; there’s also a family of Lexus models that takes the total out to 30 by the end of the decade.

Details on the Toyota Pickup EV are scant, including when it might be produced and where it will be sold.

Toyota gave no clues to the model cadence of those 15 new EV models, other than to say they’ll be on the road somewhere by 2030.

Given Ford is already producing the F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet and Ram have committed to electric utes in the medium term it seems Toyota would want to be thick in development to take advantage of the surge towards EVs.

There are also no details on the capacity of the batteries and what’s powering it, although given the chunky tyres and high ride height we think it’d be safe to assume there are at least two electric motors powering all four wheels.

Then there’s the question of its size, something difficult to judge from the handful of images that emerged from Monday’s video reveal.

Toyota sells two utes – or pickup trucks – in America. The Tacoma is similar in size to our Hilux while the Tundra is a large truck to compete with the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.

Toyota Pickup EV is concept that shows Toyota's idea of a battery electric ute — Toyota Pickup EV is concept that shows Toyota’s idea of a battery electric ute

American media outlets are speculating the Pickup EV concept looks closer in size to the Tacoma, which bodes well for our Hilux.

It’s difficult to imagine Toyota designing two different utes – as it does with the Tacoma and Hilux – which would mean Australia getting what the rest of the world gets (the rest of the world being mostly America when it comes to utes).

If the Pickup EV does provide a hint to a new mid-sized pickup – as the Americans classify them – it would add other similarly-sized electric utes currently under development. Ford has committed to an EV version of its new Ranger while Ram is also planning a mid-sized EV ute.

Of course, there’s also the question of whether such an electric ute would come to Australia at all.

Electrified Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series — An electric version of the Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series is already in development for use by Australian mining companies

Toyota Australia is already developing an electric version of the LandCruiser 70-Series ute for use in mining applications, although Toyota Australia has committed to having an electrified version of almost all models in its range by 2030 (Toyota’s definition of electrified also including regular hybrids).

And while EV utes are shaping up to be big business in some parts of the world, there are also questions around their suitability to Australia given so many buyers use their utes for towing and off-road adventuring. While electric motors have no problems towing, batteries drain quicker once you’re towing; given the range and charging limitations in remote areas there would be some who may not deem an EV ute a viable alternative to the diesels that currently dominate, at least now.

Plus there’s hydrogen bubbling away in the EV debate, especially from Toyota’s perspective.

In announcing the new Toyota EV onslaught Toyota Australia president and CEO Matthew Callachor has reiterated the company’s stance that Australia is unique and may require different thinking with zero emissions drivetrain tech.

“We are absolutely committed to providing our customers with a range of technologies that will help them on their journey to zero emissions based on their individual circumstances, ensuring we leave no-one behind,” said Callachor.

“Importantly, Toyota is not limited to a single technical solution because Australians have vastly different motoring needs, with locations from inner cities to suburbs, regional and rural areas and outback Australia.”

One of those solutions is clearly hybrid – Toyota execs have previously talked of a Hilux hybrid – something Toyota has been selling in Australia since 2001.

Toyota and Lexus EV models due on sale by 2030

Another is hydrogen fuel cell, which Toyota is pushing hard with in Australia.

It has committed to leasing at least 20 of its Mirai FCEVs in Australia, most of which are going to mining giant Fortescue as it looks to ramp up a shift to hydrogen.

And Toyota clearly sees hydrogen as a viable fuel for large SUVs and off-roaders such as the Prado, LandCruiser and Hilux.