Toyota Hilux EV enters testing phase; global debut next year

ABU DHABI: The Toyota Hilux EV pickup truck, scheduled for debut in Thailand by the end of 2025, has entered the final testing phase before mass production. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting Toyota would abandon the electric vehicle, Pras Ganesh, Toyota Motor Asia’s executive vice president, has confirmed that the Hilux EV’s production will now begin before the end of next year.

He also expressed interest in manufacturing the Hilux Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in Thailand because here pickup trucks dominate the car sales. This move showcases the commitment of Toyota to the region, where it sold over 30,000 units of its hybrid cars last year claiming an 11.5% total sales share.

The Toyota Hilux EV is expected to come with a dual-motor setup and standard 4WD system, rivalling the Isuzu D-Max EV with its 177 hp/325 Nm powertrain and 66.9-kWh battery showcased at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Upon release, the Hilux EV is expected to match the capabilities of its competitors.

While trailing behind leaders in the EV industry like China's BYD and Tesla, Toyota has capitalized on the hybrid vehicles demand, leveraging its strength in petrol-electric hybrids. Pras Ganesh expressed the anticipation of Toyota for hybrid sales growth in Southeast Asian markets and Thailand amidst competition from rivals in the segment like Great Wall Motor.

Also read: Toyota unveils bZ3C and bZ3X electric SUVs at Auto China 2024