Are there electric utes available in Australia?

Utes are hugely popular in Australia – in the first half of 2023 there were 25,000 new ute sales, making up 20 per cent of all new vehicles on the road.

Utes typically cover around 40 per cent more distance in their vehicles than the average car¹. This means there are not only increased emissions from travelling further, but emissions and fuel costs are also multiplied simply because these vehicles are bigger and heavier.

Because of this, switching to electric utes can offer big savings in fuel and maintenance costs compared to traditional vehicles, at the same time making a big contribution towards reducing carbon emissions.

Despite the clear environmental benefits to electrifying the largest vehicles on our roads, it’s understandable that drivers not familiar with the capabilities of electric vehicles may have concerns about whether an electric ute can do everything their internal combustion engine (ICE) ute can.

In fact, electric utes – known as pickup trucks in the US - have many advantages over diesel counterparts, like instant torque, fast acceleration, and ample power to haul heavy loads. They also have sufficient driving ranges for everyday use, can power devices and tools, and perform "tank turns" if they have a motor on each wheel allowing the vehicle to spin in place, like a tank, to quickly change direction or navigate tight spaces.

While towing heavy loads will reduce driving range, many electric utes available overseas offer big battery pack options providing up to 800km driving range on a single charge.

Up until now, the main problems for electric utes in Australia are price, choice and supply. In 2023, only one model, the LDV eT60, was available, priced at $92,990 before on-roads - nearly double the cost of a diesel LDV T60 Pro 4X4. Specs included an 88kWh battery, WLTP range of 330km, 130kW motor with 310Nm torque and a one-tonne tow capacity.

There are also companies converting electric utes such as Roev and SEA-Electric – but these are largely being supplied to industries such as mining.

Now, the tide looks to be turning. There are now at least three more electric utes confirmed for Australia. 

The Australian electric ute segment is heating up with three intriguing entries poised to electrify the market: the Isuzu D-Max EV, JAC T9, and LDV's forthcoming electric pickup. Each offers a unique blend of specs and features, aiming to cater to diverse tastes and requirements within the electric vehicle domain. 

Isuzu D-Max BEV 

Perhaps the most interesting addition to the electric vehicle market will be the Isuzu D-Max BEV (battery electric vehicle).  

As one of the top five most popular vehicles in Australia, the fossil-fuelled D-Max ute is already a familiar sight on Australian roads. 

Unveiled in March by the Japanese heavy-duty vehicle maker, the battery-powered version of the D-Max will boast a 66.9kWh battery on an all-wheel  drive platform with 130kW power (40kW from the front motor and 90kW from the rear motor), outputting a maximum 325Nm torque. 

With a maximum towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes and max payload of 1 tonne, its ladder frame chassis promises decent off-road capabilities. 

While specifics like driving range are still under wraps, the D-Max marks a significant move by Isuzu into the electric vehicle space. Isuzu said in a global release that it will launch the D-Max BEV first in “select mainland Europe markets,” such as Norway in 2025. After this, the D-Max BEV will be rolled out to right-hand drive markets including Australia, UK and Thailand. 

Kia Tasman EV 

An all-electric electric ute from Kia may make its Australian debut in 2026, following the launch of its diesel counterpart now confirmed for late 2024. According to reports, the South Korean carmaker has trademarked the name “Tasman” in Australia, and it is believed this name could grace both the ICE and EV version of Kia’s first ute in Australia.  

Part of Kia's ambitious plan to introduce 14 new EVs within five years, no more specifics are yet known for the all-electric version – stay tuned. 

JAC T9 EV

Source: Autohome

With the turbo-diesel JAC T9 ute now landed in Australia, an all-electric variant is expected to follow. 

Official specifications and launch date for Australia are yet to be revealed, although a mid-2024 date has been previously been reported. Chinese media reports that it will debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show with a dual-motor 4WD format delivering peak power and torque of 70kW/176Nm for the front motor and 160kW/342Nm torque for the rear motor.  A stack-welded frame encasing an 88.02kWh battery for a 500km range (an ambitious figure based on the Chinese testing standard known as CLTC.)  

LDV Maxus Electric Ute 

Source: Car News China

In 2024, LDV plans to release another electric ute in Australia, offering a range of 600km and off-road capability. Known as the Maxus GST in its concept form, it is expected to arrive locally in the second quarter of 2024. 

While official production specs are yet to be confirmed, the Maxus GST concept uses a body-on-frame construction and a quad-motor all-wheel drive powertrain with 746kW power, achieving a 0-100km/h sprint in about three seconds.  

Moreover, it will offer a vehicle-to-load capability and promises a tank turn function, a 400mm air suspension, a dozen terrain modes and rough terrain escape sensors that scan up to 50m ahead. 

Ford F-150 Lightning electric ute

Ford has not confirmed plans to introduce the F-150 Lightning electric ute in Australia but an agreement with RMA Automotive to convert its fossil-fuelled F-150 to right-hand drive has prompted speculation the electric ute will follow.

Starting with the Pro variant at $US49,995 overseas, it is now available in five variants after a new Lightning Flash variant was recently announced in the US.

Top specs include 482km driving range, 131kWh battery, 432kW power, 1054Nm torque and the ability to tow up to 3.85 tonnes.

Its max range is now up to 515km, and it includes a slew of towing assistance tech including backup and reverse assist/guidance, smart hitch, on-board scales and brake controller to name a few.

Top specs include the ability to tow an impressive 4.5 tonnes with 1050Nm instant torque, and the ability to power a home using a home integration system during a blackout.

Although still in its early stages, the Lightning's potential arrival in Australian showrooms is signalled by Ford's trademarking of the name in the country.

BYD electric ute to arrive in 2024

BYD may release its first electric utility vehicle in Australia in 2024.

The specific power outputs and driving range for the electric-only variant have not yet been disclosed, but a plug-in hybrid model with an output of over 500kW and a potential real-world driving range of 800km is expected to compete with the eT60 electric ute on price.

Geely Radar RD6 electric ute

Volvo parent Geely confirmed it has plans for “global markets” when it unveiled its Radar RD6 in 2022, and recent reports say that it may soon arrive in Thailand, a fellow RHD country.

However, more recently it is understood that Geely is facing a trademark battle in Australia against a tyre maker also called Radar.

If and when the Radar RD6 arrives, specs are expected to include both RWD and 4WD formats, with power from 150kW to 300kW.

Tesla Cybertruck

No electric ute list is complete without a mention of the Tesla Cybertruck, but though first deliveries are set to begin in November 2023 in the US, there are doubts about when and if it will arrive in Australia.

Known specs include a sub-3 second sprint from 0-100km/hr, towing capacity of 6.35 tonnes, and up to 800km driving range.

The Cybertruck will also incorporate Tesla's signature tech features, Autopilot, and a durable exoskeleton. Meanwhile, other American automakers like Rivian, GMC, Bollinger and Ram have developed electric pickups, but their availability in Australia is still uncertain. 

A Toyota electric ute for Australia?

Toyota in August announced plans to trial an electric ute prototype in Australia, specifically designed for short trips.

Known as the Revo, the electric single-cab Hilux has just 300km range and a 4x2 powertrain.

Although Toyota exec Sean Hanley admitted he was impressed by its ride, he ruled it out as a true off-roader.

There are also reports of another concept codenamed the EPU that is aimed at families rather than tradies, that may make it here by 2030 according to Drive. 

Toyota has not actually fully committed to bringing an all-electric pickup to Australia, although a battery electric ute is expected in Asia by the end of the year.

GWM Ute EV powers on

First seen at the Beijing Auto Show, the Poer electric ute will apparently be called the GWM Ute EV in Australia, following the trend of cutting the Ora Funky Cat electric hatchback name to a more easy-to-swallow GWM Ora.

Specs are said to include an electric power output of 150kW and a torque of 300Nm, with a range spanning 405km – however, an arrival date is yet to be announced.

Reference 1. https://theconversation.com/electric-utes-can-now-power-the-weekend-and-the-work-week-199600