HiLux BEV ‘a start’ for electric light commercials

TOYOTA says its incoming all-electric HiLux BEV will introduce Australian customers to battery electric technology within a familiar package it says is as capable off-road and in hauling as the diesel-powered equivalent.

Engineered specifically with mining and other commercial sectors in mind – but becoming available in 2026 to any customer from the showroom floor – the HiLux BEV will offer comparable four-wheel drive abilities, and hauling capacities to the diesel range, albeit with a range best suited to back-to-base operations.

Speaking with media gathered for the launch of the ninth-generation HiLux in Canberra, Toyota Australia senior product planning specialist Rod Lyons said that initially, the battery electric variant will cater to a specific customer type.

“The (development) program on this (HiLux BEV) has been quite a challenge from the design and engineering side,” he explained.

“As part of our multi-pathway (solution), one of the challenges is that not every powertrain can do the job. That’s one thing that you have to start with … the technology is not (yet) there that for one single pathway to do super-low carbon.

“So, right from the start it was about ‘what does it need to do?’ and ‘Who really wants this?’.”

In answering that question, Mr Lyons said a significant part of developing a factory-built electric HiLux was to offer a solution to the mining sector, and in other back-to-base commercial applications where capability is of greater importance that long-distance range.

“There is a very strong element within the HiLux customer base that really wants this, particularly on mine sites and in construction,” he emphasised.

“We accept that this is a product that not every single customer will be able to utilise. (But) it is still a capable product – it is still a HiLux product.”

To that end, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations Sean Hanley admitted sales of the HiLux BEV will be quite limited, stating clearly that the model will be allowed to free-fall in the market.

“We don’t expect a massive volume for this (the HiLux BEV),” he said.

“We will free-fall it in the market … because we want to make a mark, and we want to make a start.

“You have to start somewhere, and while we don’t think this (HiLux BEV) will be the next big contributor to our sales volume, it will play a role in specific applications.

“Then, over time, we can scale up as we did with our hybrid range. It’s an important launch for us in that sense.”

Mr Hanley compared the introduction of the HiLux BEV with that of the original Prius, noting that hybrid technology became more popular over time as both the products and customer tastes evolved.

While recognising the limitations of charging and driving range, he said the technology will improve to offer HiLux buyers a true alternative to the diesel portfolio in every sense, particularly where an off-the-self solution is required to meet specific customer safety requirements.

“We started with the LandCruiser 70 Series BEV, developed with BHP. But once we found out there was an OEM solution coming through Thailand, we quickly reassessed where we should go,” he said.

“The mining companies were very clear that they wanted a full OEM solution because of the safety aspect (and) we are one of a few in the market that is leading this commercial charge.”

While detailed specification and pricing information is yet to be advised, pre-homologation figures released by Toyota Motor Europe (TME) suggest the dual-motor four-wheel drive will utilise a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver a 240km (WLTP) total driving range.

Kerb weight is not yet known, but European figures suggest a 715kg payload capacity and braked towing capacity of just 1600kg – well down from the 3500kg available in the diesel-powered range.

Recharge times and output figures are yet to be advised; however, it is understood the HiLux BEV will offer 205Nm from the front axle and 268Nm from the rear axle for a combined torque output of 473Nm.

While the HiLux BEV has limitations that may see it remain suitable to a constrained buyer group, Toyota has announced that it will introduce a hydrogen powered HiLux into the Australian market from 2028 with longer driving range and heavier towing capabilities than the BEV.