Toyota's electric utility vehicle for testing in Australia

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【Summary】Toyota has unveiled its HiLux Revo electric ute, designed for short journeys, and will be testing it in Australia. The company also showcased a new generation of hybrid cars and utes with battery assistance technology. Toyota Australia sales vice-president, Sean Hanley, stated that the release of the HiLux Revo as a production model in Australia is uncertain. Toyota's first electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, will also be delayed, with the first cars expected to roll out in February 2024.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 4:23 PM PT

Toyota's electric utility vehicle for testing in Australia

Toyota showcased its new generation of hybrid cars and utes with battery assistance technology at an event in Melbourne. The showcase came shortly after the federal government received overwhelming support for a fuel-efficiency standard that could encourage the import of low-emission vehicles into Australia.

Despite criticism for not launching electric cars, Toyota Australia sales vice-president Sean Hanley stated that the company is actively working on technologies to reduce vehicle pollution. He introduced the HiLux Revo concept vehicle, a two-wheel drive ute designed for short journeys, which will be tested and evaluated in Australia. However, the release date for this vehicle is uncertain.

While many Australian drivers are waiting for a zero-emission, load-carrying, trailer-towing, remote area, off-road HiLux 4x4, Hanley explained that it is not currently feasible with electric vehicle technology and may require hydrogen fuel-cells.

Toyota's first electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, was scheduled to launch this year in Australia but will be delayed by several months. Hanley stated that the delay is to ensure a reasonable level of stock, with the first cars rolling out of showrooms in February 2024. Toyota expects to deliver several thousand cars in 2024.

Other vehicles showcased by Toyota in Melbourne included second-generation C-HR SUV hybrids set to launch next year, as well as early versions of a HiLux ute and LandCruiser Prado with 48-Volt Technology, aimed at reducing fuel consumption.

The federal government publicly released submissions to its fuel-efficiency standard consultation, which showed widespread support for the change. The proposed standard, as outlined in the National Electric Vehicle Strategy, aims to set a pollution cap on vehicles released in Australia to encourage the import of low-emission models.

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