Japanese legacy automaker Toyota is getting closer to launching its first electric pickup model, the Hilux BEV, following the arrival of the BYD Shark plug-in hybrid pickup.
Toyota to produce its first e-pickup in 2025
Toyota is now testing the all-electric counterpart of its iconic Hilux pickup truck, Reuters reported, citing an executive. After this, the Japanese company aims to start the Hilux BEV production in Thailand by the end of 2025.
According to Toyota Motor Asia Executive Vice President Pras Ganesh, the company is currently evaluating the Hilux BEV’s performance in various conditions before starting production next year.
Being one of the most popular pickup trucks worldwide, the Hilux is indeed the ideal model to join the electric vehicle race. Toyota has already launched the non-electric model in 180 countries and regions.
After teasing an electric version for some time, Toyota now confirmed that the Hilux BEV will finally roll out by the end of 2025.
“Our intention is to be producing the Hilux BEV over here.”
Pras Ganesh, Toyota Motor Asia Executive Vice President
Target range
Toyota has yet to disclose more specific details about the upcoming Hilux BEV’s specifications. However, it previously hinted that the company aims to develop the electric pickup with 200 km (124 mi) driving range without indicating the test cycle utilized for the calculation.
Toyota is still resolving some issues before the Hilux BEV debut, as noted by executive Pras Ganesh.
” The more range I have to put on it, the more battery I have to put on it, which means the weight of the vehicle also becomes significantly heavier, which means the loading can be much less.
So is it going to meet the customer’s usage needs?’ is always our biggest issue. We are always trying to understand what they do.”
Pras Ganesh, Toyota Motor Asia Executive Vice President
Journalists who drove the BEV’s prototypes implied it could feature the same 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery as the bZ4X. However, Toyota has yet to confirm this.
BYD, Chinese rivals advance ahead
While Toyota is still testing the Hilux BEV, Chinese giant BYD has already launched its inaugural pickup model this week.
The plug-in hybrid BYD Shark launched with an NEDC all-electric driving range of 100 km (62 mi). If we add its hybrid powertrain, the range increases to 840 km (522 mi). BYD claims that the EV’s 7.5L per 100 km fuel consumption is 40% lower than that of a full gas-powered truck.
The BYD Shark offers two variants: the $53,400 GL and the $58,100 GS. It initially hit the Mexican market and plans to expand globally. With a 5,457 mm length, 1,971 mm width, and 1,925 mm height, the BYD pickup is a direct competitor to the popular Toyota Hilux.
Although Toyota primarily targets the Thai market for the Hilux BEV, it remains open to exporting the electric pickup to other foreign markets.
