Chinese Electric Ute Heads To Work In Australian Mines

The JAC T9 EV, a Chinese-built electric dual-cab ute, has started its first major field test in Australia. While the model is not yet on sale locally, the trial will test the ute in some of the country’s toughest conditions — the mining sector.

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

Mining Trial Underway

Warrikal, a maintenance and project services provider for tier-one mining companies, has begun a six-month evaluation of the JAC T9 EV.

The trial will measure:

• Battery durability under harsh mining conditions
• Operational performance in day-to-day tasks
• Integration with fleet management systems
• Cost savings compared to diesel-powered utes

Ahmed Mahmoud, managing director of JAC Motors Australia, said the trial will demonstrate whether JAC’s EV technology can meet the safety, reliability and capability requirements of mining operations in Australia.

▶️MORE: Geely's Electric Ute Is Coming But Will Aussies Buy It?

JAC T9 EV: Powertrain and Key Specs

The T9 EV is built on the same platform as the diesel-powered T9 but swaps the engine for a dual-motor setup, offering all-wheel drive as standard.

For comparison, the diesel T9 delivers 120 kW and 410 Nm, making the EV significantly more powerful.

▶️MORE: Deepal’s E07 Electric SUV-Ute Hybrid En Route To Australia

EV Utes in the Mining Sector

The mining industry has become a key testing ground for electric utes in Australia. The JAC T9 EV joins several other battery-powered models currently being trialled:

• AUSEV Ford F-150 Lightning – locally converted for mining use
• Rivian R1T – imported by MEVCO and customised for mining fleets
• MEVCO EV 4x4 – converted Toyota HiLux with plans for 8,500 conversions
• Toyota HiLux EV prototype – being tested by BHP in a 12-month program

▶️MORE: Every electric ute missing in Australia | Zecar | Reviews | News

Limited Options for Private Buyers

While mining companies are gaining access to several electric ute options, private buyers have fewer choices.

Currently, the only EV ute on sale in Australia is the LDV eT60, which has:

• 130 kW motor
• 330 km range (WLTP)
• Rear-wheel drive only

LDV has also confirmed the upcoming eTerron 9, available in single- and dual-motor configurations with outputs of 200 kW and 325 kW, plus a 102 kWh battery offering up to 430 km of range.

▶️MORE: Electric Car Towing: Everything You Need to Know - zecar.com

Outlook for JAC T9 EV in Australia

JAC Motors has not confirmed when the T9 EV will be available to the public in Australia. Feedback from the mining sector will play a key role in shaping the business case for a broader launch.

With growing pressure on fleets to decarbonise, the T9 EV could become one of several new electric ute options available to Australian buyers over the next few years.