Electric Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series: second-gen retrofit ute revealed

Adelaide-based electric ute conversion company Zero Automotive has unveiled its second-generation Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series-based ZED70 Ti EV for mining duties.

With first fleet deliveries expected to start in 2024, the retrofitted LandCruiser 70 electric ute is headlined by 50 per cent more power and faster 160kW DC peak charging capabilities.

When its Type 2 CCS plug is connected with a compatible 160kW or higher public DC charging station, Zero claims it can charge in less than 25 minutes – but for fleets that have an installed three-phase 22kW AC unit, it can recharge in around three hours.

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While claimed driving range figures weren’t disclosed, it adopts a Toshiba-produced 60kWh gross battery pack based on a unique lithium-titanate-oxide (LTO) chemistry.

While LTO is a lithium-ion type battery with better charging performance and resistance to wider temperatures, it has similar thermal stability and longer lifecycle benefits as per lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes – but is less energy dense.

Zero Automotive claims it retains more than 70 per cent battery capacity after 20,000 full charging cycles (around four million kilometres or 70,000 operating hours).

The ZED70 Ti is primarily targeted for mining company fleet duties – and was developed and tested in seven years by the South Australian company.

It features Zero’s proprietary underbody armour protection to sustain highly corrosive underground mining environments, multiple high-voltage isolators, and a range of other safety measures.

It also brings the evergreen capabilities of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, including a carryover transfer case, front coil and rear leaf-spring suspension, and rear differential – though it isn’t based on the upcoming facelifted version yet.

EV leasing company CarBon has “confirmed an order” of 200 ZED70 Ti examples, due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December inclusive).