Toyota’s mysterious electric HiLux has hit Australia.
The HiLux Revo BEV electric concept was snapped by the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) at Fremantle Port in Western Australia.
Images posted on social network X show the front and side profile of the ute, along with images of the CCS charge port and rear suspension that appear to have come from the vehicle’s Thai reveal.
“Given the popularity of HiLux in Australia, we are grateful our parent company agreed to send this concept car here for internal review,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson said in a statement.
Just a sneaky @Toyota_Aus Hilux REVO EV concept spotted at @FremantlePorts with (maybe) CCS2 charging. @TheDriven_io @drive @CarExpertAus pic.twitter.com/V2vPweFwpb
— AEVA (@AEVA_National) August 7, 2023
“BEVs are one of multiple options Toyota is examining and developing globally to help our customers on their journey to carbon neutrality, leaving no-one behind.”
Toyota hasn’t confirmed whether the BEV is headed for production, but “presents an exciting window into our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across our vehicle range” according to the brand’s head of sales and marketing in Australia.
The concept was revealed during December 2022 in Thailand, but Toyota offered no details about the size of its battery pack nor targeted range, let alone key details for ute owners such as payload and towing capacity.
The HiLux was shown off alongside a modular, low-cost electric ute called IMV 0. Toyota has confirmed one of the pair is set for production, but hasn’t said which – based on then-CEO Akio Toyoda’s comments at the reveal, however, the IMV 0 is more likely.
Even hybrid power has remained off limits for the HiLux; the current model will gain a 48V mild-hybrid system on the most expensive SR5 and Rogue variants in 2024.
Mining companies are big ute buyers, and have recently been turning to aftermarket suppliers such as ROEV to sell with HiLuxes or LC79 pickups that have been converted to electric power.
“There is huge demand for light commercial EVs in Australia, particularly in the fleet market where businesses are racing to decarbonise,” said ROEV co-founder Mr Wasmer.
“Electric conversions provide an additional option to accelerate this transition and we’ve been working very closely with fleets to ensure the vehicles out-perform expectations,” he said.
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
