Toyota's new electric vehicle for testing in Australia

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【Summary】Toyota has unveiled its HiLux Revo electric ute for testing in Australia. The vehicle is designed for short journeys and will be evaluated in the country, although its release as a production model is uncertain. Toyota also showcased a new generation of hybrid cars and utes with battery assistance technology. The Australian launch of Toyota's first electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, will be delayed by several months. The company aims to deliver several thousand cars in 2024.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 6:18 AM PT

Toyota's new electric vehicle for testing in Australia

Toyota showcased its new generation of hybrid cars and utes with battery assistance technology at an event in Melbourne this week. The event also featured the HiLux Revo concept vehicle, a two-wheel drive ute designed for short journeys. Toyota Australia sales vice-president Sean Hanley stated that the vehicle would be tested and evaluated in Australia, but its release date was uncertain.

Despite criticism for its lack of electric cars, Toyota is actively working on a range of technologies to reduce vehicle pollution. Hanley expressed optimism about bringing electric vehicles to the market in the future, but noted that a zero-emission, load-carrying, trailer-towing, off-road HiLux 4x4 was not yet feasible with current electric vehicle technology and may require hydrogen fuel-cells.

The launch of Toyota's first electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, in Australia will be delayed by several months. Hanley explained that the delay is due to the local arm of Toyota waiting for a larger share of vehicles with upgraded specifications. The first cars are now expected to roll out of showrooms in February 2024, with several thousand cars to be delivered that year.

In addition to the electric vehicles, Toyota also showcased second-generation C-HR SUV hybrids expected to launch next year, as well as early versions of a HiLux ute and LandCruiser Prado with 48-Volt Technology. This technology utilizes a battery and small generator to reduce fuel consumption.

The showcase event took place shortly after the federal government released submissions to its fuel-efficiency standard consultation. The government's proposed standard, which aims to encourage the import of low-emission vehicles, received widespread support.

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