Hyundai to launch ‘Mighty’ electric truck in Australia

Hyundai will launch a full battery-electric light commercial truck in Australia, bringing another option for fleets to curb emissions and improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.

Due in mid-2023, the Hyundai Mighty electric truck is aimed at metro and ‘last-mile’ delivery duties with an estimated driving range of 240 kilometres when laden with cargo.

It will initially be offered in a single 4x2 configuration in a 3300 millimetre wheelbase and 7300 kilogram gross vehicle mass (GVM) variant at launch.

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Bare cab-chassis, tray or pantech (regular or refrigerated) forms will join later on, while a tipper model is “currently under study”.

While local pricing and specifications haven’t been finalised for Australia yet, the South Korean company has confirmed it’ll come with a suspended driver's seat, instrument cluster display, front auto emergency braking, and a lane departure warning system.

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The Hyundai Xcient Fuel-Cell heavy duty hydrogen truck is currently under consideration for a potential trial in Australia, and is already deployed in Switzerland and California.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia will import all future EV and hydrogen-powered trucks, while Hyundai Trucks Australia (Peninsula Hyundai) will continue to be responsible for conventional combustion engine-powered commercial vehicles.

The heavy commercial vehicle segment is a key contributor to air pollution – responsible for 25 per cent of all vehicle exhaust emissions in Australia, despite only accounting for around four per cent of the national vehicle fleet.

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Electric trucks are ramping up with major players such as Volvo, Daimler, Mitsubishi, and retrofit company SEA Electric already delivering to customers in Australia.

Recently, the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency co-funded a $44.3 million trial for Team Global Express (formerly Toll Global Express) to adopt a 60-strong all-electric truck fleet in Sydney.