Toyota HiLux EV ute concept teased

Toyota has shown off a full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) HiLux ute concept overnight at its keynote celebrating 60 years in Thailand.

Full details like driving range, towing capacity and payload weren’t divulged, but from the images, the HiLux Revo BEV concept is based on the current eighth-generation HiLux ute that is produced in Thailand and the best-selling model in Australia.

The electric ute features a closed-off aerodynamic face, a single-cab configuration, unique alloy wheels, and charging port at the front-left wheel fenders.

“[It’s] designed to support carbon neutrality and a better environment for all,” Toyota president Akio Toyoda said.

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“Toyota does not take a one-size-fits-all approach to our products or our powertrains. In fact, I am often criticised in the press because I won’t declare that the automotive industry should commit 100 per cent to BEV.

“Because just like the fully-autonomous cars that we were all supposed to be driving by now, I think BEVs are just going to take longer to become mainstream than the media would like us to believe. And frankly, BEVs are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals,” he said.

Brisbane-born startup ROEV will sell retrofit electric ute conversions for 2016 to 2022 model-year Toyota HiLux and Ford Rangers next year. But, it’ll be available for fleets only at launch with a starting price of $47,990 on top of the vehicle price.

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Meanwhile, the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electric ute on sale in Australia is the Chinese-made LDV eT60, with a price tag from $92,990 before on-road costs.

Toyota also unveiled the IMV 0 concept, a Suzuki Jimny-like compact truck “designed to support economic growth and mobility for all”.

The Japanese car giant is also working on a hydrogen fuel-cell powered Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV using a Corolla GR hot hatch engine and Mirai hydrogen tech, with some unique design tweaks compared to the regular model.

October: Toyota EPU ute concept revealed

Toyota is getting serious about booting up an electric ute, although this one is of a unibody design.