News

Australia’s first electric ute, large van, MPV to launch from November

Comments
Blue LDV eT60 driving in tunnel at night

LDV has confirmed it’ll launch the eT60 as the first electric ute on sale in Australia, alongside the eDeliver 9 and Mifa 9, as soon as November.

The Chinese automaker will set its mark in the Australian market by debuting a trio of electric vehicle firsts (via independent distributor Ateco) – a pickup ute, large commercial van, and family people mover.

All three EVs are set to be on sale from November 2022.

While full local pricing and specifications will be divulged in November, the local arm has given a glimpse into what we should expect and other details have already been confirmed overseas.

LDV eT60

White LDV eT60 ute with blue EV stickers

Headlining the act, the eT60 is set to be the first battery-electric ute sold in Australia. Initially, it’ll only be available in a 4x2 (two-wheel drive) double cab variant.

The LDV eT60 houses a 88.5kWh battery pack yielding 330km of claimed driving range under the stricter combined WLTP testing cycle.

The company says charging the electric ute on an 11kW AC charger from 5 to 100 per cent will take around nine hours. Fast charging it on a DC station from 20 to 80 per cent takes around 45 minutes, though LDV Australia hasn’t disclosed its maximum DC rate.

LDV eT60LDV eT60

NZ images shown

The LDV eT60 is based on the internal combustion engine T60 Max, which was facelifted in late 2021. For context, that diesel-powered model tops out at $42,621 before on-road costs for private buyers in flagship Luxe 4x4 (all-wheel drive) automatic transmission guise.

New Zealand is already taking pre-orders for the eT60, priced from NZ$79,990 drive-away (A$69,846).

LDV New Zealand says a permanent magnet electric motor drives the rear wheels, producing 130kW of power and 310Nm of torque. It has a maximum braked towing rating of 1500kg – that cuts total driving range in half when towing – and payload of 750kg.

When it lands from November, it’ll directly rival popular diesel-powered ute models including the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, GWM Ute, and more.

LDV eDeliver 9

White LDV eDeliver 9 charging from AC wallbox

The LDV eDeliver 9 will be Australia’s first pure-electric large commercial van available exclusively in a long wheelbase, with mid-roof, high-roof, or cab chassis options.

Featuring a large 88.5kWh battery pack, it delivers up to 280km of claimed range (WLTP) on the mid-roof model.

The SAIC Motor-owned Chinese carmaker estimates the eDeliver 9 plugged-in to an 11kW AC charger from 5 to 100 per cent takes about nine hours. The electric van has a maximum DC charging rate of 80kW and can go from 20 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.

LDV eDeliver 9LDV eDeliver 9

NZ images shown

It’s based on the diesel-powered LDV Deliver 9, which costs between $47,358 and $49,464 before on-road costs for a long wheelbase mid-roof, cab chassis, and high-roof van.

For reference, the eDeliver 9 long wheelbase mid-roof starts from NZ$86,948 (A$74,175) before on-roads in New Zealand, where specifications across the ocean point to 150kW of peak power, 310Nm of peak torque, 10.97 cubic-metre cargo volume, 860kg payload, and 1500kg braked towing capacity.

LDV will beat the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eSprinter large electric van, which isn’t slated to arrive until 2024.

LDV Mifa 9

Green LDV Mifa 9 people mover

The LDV Mifa 9 will be the brand’s first non-commercial vehicle and first all-electric multi-purpose people mover in Australia aimed at luxury buyers.

The Mifa 9 will first launch with three model grades boasting seven-seats, but an eight-seater configuration will follow in early 2023.

Under its floor is a 90kWh battery pack resulting in up to 440km of claimed range (WLTP) depending on the variant.

On an 11kW AC charger, it can top-up from 5 to 100 per cent in around 8.5 hours, while DC fast charging from 20 to 80 per cent takes around 36 minutes. Again, LDV Australia hasn’t disclosed its maximum DC charging rate.

LDV Mifa 9LDV Mifa 9

UK images shown

In the UK, where LDV is under the Maxus badge, the Mifa 9 is said to use a ternary lithium battery from supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) that is more energy dense and has a higher charge and discharge efficiency.

UK specifications outline the family and chauffeur hauler has a single electric motor outputting 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque, 3200mm wheelbase, and its seats feature leg support, ventilation, heating and massage functionality.

Positioned as a premium people mover, it will compete with the eight-seater Mercedes-Benz EQV when it lands in 2023. Although this segment is small, it also rivals the popular combustion engine Kia Carnival, Hyundai Staria, and Toyota Granvia.

Figures by Danny Thai

About the author

Author Avatar

Henry Man

simple icon

Henry Man is a motoring journalist passionate about the intersection of technology and transportation, with a focus on electric vehicles.

Stay up to date with the latest EV news

  • Get the latest news and update
  • New EV model releases
  • Get money savings-deal

Privacy policy