Toyota to Launch Electric HiLux in 2025, Aiming for Australian Showrooms

Toyota has disclosed plans to start production of an electric version of the HiLux ute by 2025. This development places Toyota in the electric utility vehicle market alongside competitors like Isuzu, which is also planning to release an electric version of its D-Max ute in the same timeframe.

The announcement was made by Noriaki Yamashita, Toyota Thailand's president, marking a significant step for the company towards electric vehicle production.

Before commencing full-scale production, Toyota intends to test a fleet of twelve electric HiLux utes in Pattaya, Thailand, as part of a pilot project aimed at evaluating their suitability for public transportation. This trial is seen as a precursor to broader production efforts.

Specifics regarding the design and capabilities of the production model electric HiLux remain undisclosed.

However, the previously unveiled HiLux Revo BEV Urban Taxi Concept, which features an electric motor and a single-cab design, provides some indication of Toyota's direction with the electric HiLux.

In addition to the electric model, Toyota has explored hydrogen fuel-cell technology with a version of the HiLux, and has introduced a mild-hybrid variant of its current 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine in Australia.

These developments indicate Toyota's exploration of multiple avenues for reducing vehicle emissions.

The electric HiLux prototype has undergone evaluation in Australia, with tests conducted by Toyota's local engineers and selected fleet operators.

Despite initial skepticism around the performance capabilities of electric utility vehicles, Toyota has stated that the prototype delivers sufficient torque, addressing one of the common concerns about electric utility vehicles' performance.

Toyota's push towards electrification with the HiLux is part of a broader effort to incorporate electric technology across nearly all its models by 2030. This move reflects the automotive industry's ongoing shift towards more sustainable vehicle options.

With the introduction of the electric HiLux, Toyota is expanding its electric vehicle offerings, entering a competitive segment of the market.