Electric Toyota HiLux passes another milestone, when will it be in Australian showrooms?

Australia’s most popular vehicle – the Toyota HiLux ute – is one step closer to going electric.  

A one-off electric Toyota Hilux prototype has been evaluated by local engineers in Australia as the Japanese car giant – the world's largest automaker by volume – does its final checks ahead of a possible arrival in local showrooms by the end of the decade.  

After a month-long assessment with potential fleet buyers in Australia, Toyota says the concept vehicle is now on its way to its next destination in the region for further evaluation.

Drive understands the electric HiLux was tested locally by Toyota Australia engineers and some of country's biggest fleet operators.

The Revo Concept is a fully-functioning example of the kind of electric Toyota HiLux that Australian business fleets may be able to buy or lease in the coming years, the company says.  

Toyota says an electric HiLux would be a more urban-focussed vehicle rather than a heavy-duty workhorse.

“Our evaluation engineers and industry partners have confirmed that this city-focused HiLux BEV [Battery Electric Vehicle] – while very much a concept vehicle – looks, feels and drives like a production model,” Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations said in a media statement.

“Under the skin, this vehicle is powered by Toyota’s (electric vehicle) related technologies developed over more than a quarter of a century, including batteries, motors, inverters and power-control units."

The electric Toyota HiLux concept vehicle has since been returned to Thailand, where it will reportedly be used part of a ‘demonstration fleet’ of electric HiLux taxis.

The concept of an electric ute has been controversial in Australia, with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggesting during the 2019 federal election campaign an electric ute would “end the weekend."

At the time, it was suggested an electric ute would not have the towing and load-carrying capacity of the diesel engines that power the HiLux and arch-rival Ford Ranger, which are the top two best selling vehicles in the country.

For now, however, this forecast has been validated as the Chinese electric utes and vans that have been introduced locally so far have limited hauling ability and driving range.

Without sharing exact details, Toyota claims there is no lack of pulling power from its electric HiLux concept.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to drive it – and it’s clear the concept vehicle’s all-electric powertrain delivers the impressive torque you’d normally expect from a diesel engine,” Mr Hanley said in a media statement.

No confirmation of production or release date has been shared, but the electric HiLux is believed to be part of Toyota’s shift to electric vehicles for almost every model in its range by 2030.

Meanwhile, a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Ranger was announced by Ford Australia in October 2023, which is expected to be built in the company's South Africa factory and be on sale here in late 2024.

The HiLux and Ranger are currently locked in a close battle in the 2023 sales race, with the HiLux 1400 sales ahead of the Ranger at the end of September.

Ford is pushing hard to end Toyota’s seven-year grip on the top spot, and has even rented a ship to avoid transport delays.