LDV eTerron 9 electric ute testing in Australia ahead of Q2 2025 on-sale
An all-electric ute that plans to shake up the diesel establishment is confirmed for a Q2 arrival in Australian dealerships – and the company believes there is growing demand for the newcomer.
The LDV eTerron 9 – the EV version of the upcoming Terron 9 diesel ute – has been undergoing validation testing on Australian roads ahead of its local arrival.
While the local testing isn’t as comprehensive as that undertaken by Kia, Ford and Toyota in developing utes locally, it’s indicative of the increasing importance of the Australian market for Chinese brands as America and Europe impose steep tariffs to protect their respective automotive industries.
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“The purpose of this validation test is to ensure the new-generation LDV Terron ute series is ready for Australian driving conditions,” said Dinesh Chinnappa, LDV Australia general manager.
Across roads in NSW, Victoria and Queensland the eTerron 9 and its Terron 9 diesel stablemate have been testing driver assist systems such as speed sign recognition and lane keep assistance.
“The arrival of these vehicles for final validation testing shows the factory recognises the importance of the Australian market,” said Chinnappa.
Of course, the big question mark is whether Aussies will shun the diesel propulsion they’ve gravitated to for decades in utes for something powered purely be electrons.
But Chinnappa is adamant Australians are increasingly warming to the electric ute revolution.
“Certain segments of the ute market are not only ready for an electric ute, they’ve been pleading for one,” he says, pointing to “fleets and mining companies who want a factory-built, turn-key solution straight off the showroom floor, rather than a diesel vehicle that has been converted to electric power.”
LDV is eager to point out that the eTerron 9 is “a completely different vehicle” to the thoroughly underwhelming eT60 that was the first electric ute on sale in Australia.
At more than $90,000 and lacking safety features and ute muscle, the LDV eT60 sold in miniscule numbers.
Whereas the eT60 was modified to adopt an electric system, the Terron 9 has been designed from the outset as an EV.
It has a 102kWh LFP battery claimed to provide about 430km of WLTP range.
Certification documents show the Terron 9 will be offered as a single-motor rear-wheel drive model or a dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Those documents show the RWD makes 200kW while the AWD adds a 125kW front motor for a combined 325kW.
That’s more than double the power of most diesel utes, including the diesel Terron 9 that is powered by a 163.5kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel.
Each is rated to tow up to 3500kg, matching the best in the class for hauling capacity.
Obviously towing a load like that will significantly reduce the driving range, although details are yet to be confirmed.
