Toyota Electrifies the Pickup Truck Race: Hilux EV Confirmed for 2025 in Thailand

The electric vehicle battle spreads over to pickup trucks. Toyota has officially confirmed plans to launch an electric Hilux pickup truck in Thailand by the end of 2025. And so, just days after Isuzu unveiled its D-Max EV (D-MAX BEV) concept, signaling the trendy trend of electric alternatives in the pickup truck space.

A Familiar Roots to Electric Hilux

There is little information available on the next series of Hilux EVs. However, Toyota has confirmed that the electric vehicle will be based on the common Hilux platform. Noriaki Yamashita, president of Toyota Motor Thailand, revealed that there might be a possible standard 4WD system for the electric Hilux. This would address the problem of off-road capability in those pickup trucks.

Plans to Launch and Produce in the Air

Although the launch timeline is set for late 2025, the question of the location of the production remains unclear. Yamashita did not specify where these Hilux EVs would be produced. However, Toyota already plans to deliver more than a dozen Hilux EV pickup trucks to Pattaya in a trial month for testing purposes as public transportation.

Inspired by the Hilux Revo BEV Concept

The electric Hilux takes design cues from the Hilux Revo BEV concept showcased in December 2022. Although specific details on the battery, range, and power output are yet to be revealed, the dual-battery setup on each axle seems logical and possibly even better in distributing weight off-road.

When Compared to the Isuzu D-Max EV

The forthcoming Hilux EV competes on these dual fronts. The Isuzu electric pickup boasts a 66.9 kWh battery pack that with a combined power and torque output of 177hp and 325Nm, respectively. It also provides a maximum payload capacity of 1,000kg and towing capacity of 3,500kg. Although official specifications for the Hilux EV are yet to be revealed, these figures from the D-Max EV give an idea of what can be expected in terms of capability.

Also Read: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Prepares for Takeoff in India: Adventure Motorcycle Launch Imminent

Beyond the Hilux: Toyota's Electric Vehicle Aspirations

While the Hilux EV is one piece of Toyota's general electric vehicle strategy, it is a relatively small part of it. Before this, the company exhibited an Innova Crysta EV concept in Indonesia, which hinted at a broader range of electric vehicles that were on tap. As such, a big room develops with the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions; the commitment of Toyota to electric pickups and other electrified vehicles will position them as serious contenders in the race to a zero-emission future.

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