Toyota Assures That The Electric Hilux Will Be 'Accessible', But Not Budget-Friendly | Carscoops

      The newly introduced all-electric Hilux, primarily targeting fleet buyers, provides a limited driving range of only 149 miles (240 km).

      20 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      The Hilux BEV could gain traction among mining firms in Australia.

      Toyota has confirmed that the price of the electric Hilux will exceed that of the diesel variants.

      It is equipped with a 59.2 kWh battery that drives dual electric motors generating 193 hp.

      Earlier this month, Toyota unveiled its much-anticipated battery-electric Hilux, which is based on the extensively modified ninth-generation platform. While the powertrain details for this model have been disclosed, Toyota has not yet revealed the pricing, expressing that it will be “attainable.”

      Read: New Toyota Hilux Introduces Sumo-Inspired Design and EV Option

      The full list of markets where the Hilux BEV will be sold remains uncertain; however, it has been confirmed that Australia will be included. Domestic customers can expect the Hilux BEV to arrive in the first half of 2026, with Toyota initially focusing on fleet sales rather than individual consumers.

      Major mining companies are anticipated to be the primary customers, given the compatibility of electric drivetrains for underground operations.

      Pricing Predictions

      In a recent discussion with the local media outlet Drive regarding the new vehicle, Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia's vice president of sales and marketing, acknowledged that the Hilux BEV will “be more expensive than the current diesel models.”

      The starting price for the new Hilux with a mild-hybrid diesel engine will be AU$65,990 ($42,800), and it is likely that the BEV could add an additional AU$15,000 ($9,700) to that cost, positioning it near the upper end of the Hilux lineup.

      “We recognize this won’t be our best-selling model, but it must be competitive and affordable for those interested, meaning it should be attainable,” Hanley noted.

      “We won’t release it if the price is set at one hundred grand (AU$100,000), as you might imply. It has to be realistic, it has to be doable.”

      The Hilux BEV is fitted with a compact 59.2 kWh battery pack and dual electric motors that together produce 193 hp. The vehicle is said to have a range of only 149 miles (240 km).

      A Niche Future

      Despite some interest from private individuals, Hanley is pragmatic about the model's market placement. He characterizes it as a niche vehicle, designed with a specific aim rather than broad market expectations.

      “The major appeal will indeed be within the mining sector—significantly so. Again, I don’t want to suggest that it will capture the market in volume. [It’s] not intended to do that. That’s not the purpose behind its launch,” he stated.

      Nonetheless, he acknowledges there may be some interest from other groups. “There is a specific market segment for this vehicle, and in mining, I believe it will be our prime target market. That said, some tradespeople might also be interested. It’s a possibility.”