Electric Utes Available: What's Available, What’s Coming?

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The LDV eT60 is the first electric ute to arrive in Australia. The Chinese dual cab ute landed with a price tag of $92,990 before on-road costs. Australians believe the vehicle's price is expensive, and the implementation was rushed.

However, because the vehicle is electric and offers a reasonable drive, it has been well-received in Australia. This ute has an 88kWh battery driving a single electric motor at the rear wheels.

Using an 80kW DC public charger, this ute's battery can recharge from 20 to 80 percent in around 45 minutes. However, if you plan to use an 11kW AC wall box charger, expect to wait around 9 hours to get the battery from 5 percent to 100 percent.

Battery range anxiety has been prevalent among EV owners. However, the LDV eT60 goes off the beaten track to offer 330 km of EV range, which is more than adequate for the average Australian ute driver's daily requirements.

Also worth noting is that the single rear-wheel driven permanent magnet synchronous motor produces 130kW of power and 310Nm of torque. Its top speed is 120km/h. The speed aside, this ute also offers 187mm of ground clearance, a 24-degree departure angle, a 27-degree approach angle, and a maximum wading depth rated at 550mm when unladed.

The LDV eT60's interior isn't EV-special, but it's nice. It's equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen that runs Apple CarPlay. The steering wheel is made out of polyurethane, in other words, plastic.

LDV eT60 ute specifications

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While other car makers are building new EVs from scratch, Toyota and Ford decided to help Australia Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux owners extend the lifespan of their utes. ROEV stated they would start converting Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger utes for a limited number of fleet customers this year.

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ROEV aims to convert the old diesel and petrol utes to electric ones to lower carbon print and running costs. While these services may be limited, people with 4x2 or 4x4 HiLux and Ranger between model years 2016-2022 will likely access them.

ROEV has two battery pack size options; the first provides a 240km driving range with a 64kWh Battery, while the second offers a 360km driving range with a 96kWh battery. They also offer 11kW AC and 80kW DC charging rates and a V2L discharging plug.

The conversion services are priced from $47,990 to $57,990 on top of the vehicle model price. The table below explains further:

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On July 1, 2023, Hyundai Motor Company Australia launched its first all-electric truck, the Hyundai Mighty. This 4x2 light-duty truck is available with a tray, tipper, or pantech configuration. It is designed for urban and last-mile deliveries.

Its 114.5kWh battery provides up to 200km driving range when loaded with cargo, with air conditioning running. The company has comprehensively tested the Mighty over 5,000km in New South Wales.

Drawing from the ute's battery is a motor that delivers 120kW and 320Nm of torque. It propels the rear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission. The truck registers a GVM of up to 7.3 tons and a payload of 3.5 tons. When connected to an 800V ultra-rapid (DC) charger, the 114.5kWh battery will charge from 8% to 100% in just 71 minutes.

The South Korean vehicle has a maximum speed of 100km/h.

Hyundai Mighty specifications:

The Ace Yewt Model EA180T from $25,995

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The Ace Group is set to release the Ace Yewt to the Australian market in 2024. This small car can travel 150 to 200 kilometres with a partial load. Also worth noting is that the vehicle has a maximum payload of 500kgs. It also has a maximum speed of 100km/h, which it achieves from a standstill in 14 seconds.

This Australian-manufactured vehicle has a 325V, Synchronized BLPM electric motor. Besides being a light commercial vehicle, the Yewt has an all-wheel drive system.

Ace Yewt specifications:

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The Rivian R1T is currently available in the US market but is expected to enter the Australian market in 2024. It can tow 4,989kg and achieve a 100km/h speed in about 3.3 seconds.

The RIT coming to Australia is expected to have a dual motor (one per axle) setup, with each motor capable of producing 309kW. Its standard equipment includes 21-inch alloy wheels, a built-in air compressor, dark ash wood inlays, synthetic leather trim, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel.

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Tesla's Cybertruck is expected back in Australia after cancellations earlier in 2022. The pickup is expected to start selling late this year if the last-minute testing brings out satisfactory results.

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BYD unveiled plans to bring an electric dual-cab to the Australian market at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. It would compete with current best selling utes like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. Deliveries are expected in late 2024.

The first release will be a plug-in-hybrid EV (PHEV) featuring a petrol-electric powertrain known as "Dual Motor Intelligence" (DMI), allowing for 100km in pure electric mode and approximately 1000km when combined with the petrol tank. This hybrid model is expected to be priced below $100,000 before on-road costs.

A fully electric model is expected about a year later. The same plug-in hybrid technology is also present in BYD's U8 luxury SUV, which boasts a powerful combination of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and four electric motors. Specifics about the ute's powertrain are still pending, but it will include a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Pricing has not be confirmed for the fully-electric model but given BYD's recent ability to price its EVs similary to petrol equivalents, its possible it could do the same with the BYD Ute.