Perhaps inevitably, we’ll be seeing more companies building electric pickup trucks. Abroad, there are battery-powered versions of popular models such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. Like it or not, electric pickups are making their presence felt.
Closer to home, key players such as Mitsubishi, Isuzu, and even Toyota are starting to make their moves. It was Mitsubishi who was first to drum up plans for an electric midsize pickup. Toyota then responded with a concept shortly thereafter. However, it was Isuzu who was first out the door with a production-ready prototype.
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It’s seems that the world’s biggest automaker didn’t want to take that sitting down. In a recent update, it has been confirmed that the Toyota Hilux BEV (battery electric vehicle) will be produced earlier than its initial plan. Instead of 2026 as mentioned in the company’s official timeline, its target rollout date is now within the second half of 2025.
This plan was confirmed by Pras Ganesh, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Asia, while speaking to Reuters. The electric Hilux will be produced in Thailand, just like the diesel-powered models. It’s likely that these battery-powered trucks will share the same assembly line as well.
Ganesh didn’t give any numbers just yet. However, the executive stated that the company is finding the ideal balance between battery size with weight and range. He added that greater range means a bigger battery, adding significant weight to the vehicle and sacrificing payload capacity.
Payload capacity is computed by subtracting the vehicle’s gross weight against its curb weight. In the case of the standard Toyota Hilux dual-cab with four-wheel drive, it’s in the region of 1,000kg.
For now, at least, final specifications and details are being locked in. The same goes for the possible body styles that will be on offer. The Toyota Hilux EV was initially shown as a single cab model with a long bed, but we wouldn’t be too surprised if there will be extended cab and dual cab versions. A cab and chassis variant isn’t out of the question, either.
