Toyota Hilux Electrified: World's Toughest Truck Goes EV (For Short Trips, Anyway)!

TL;DR: Toyota has officially unveiled its first electric pickup, the ninth-gen Hilux BEV, featuring a dual-motor setup and a 150-mile WLTP range. Aimed at specific markets and use cases, it’s a big step for the legendary workhorse.

Meta: Toyota's ninth-generation Hilux BEV, its first electric pickup, debuts with a dual-motor, 150-mile range, targeting specific global markets.

Alright, alright, settle down, gearheads and greenies! The day has finally come that many thought would never happen: Toyota, the king of reliability and legendary builder of the indestructible Hilux, has officially thrown its hat into the electric pickup ring! The ninth-generation Hilux, unveiled in Thailand this week, now comes with a shiny new EV variant. That’s right, the truck known globally for surviving everything from war zones to volcano eruptions is going electric. It’s like Rambo finally getting a silent, non-polluting machine gun!

Now, let's talk specs. This electric Hilux BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) comes with a dual-motor setup, one for each axle, giving it sweet four-wheel drive without needing a traditional transfer case. Power-wise, you're looking at 193 horses. It’s got a 59.2-kilowatt-hour battery pack tucked under the floor, between the chassis rails. This keeps the center of gravity low and helps maintain interior space. But here's the kicker: the range. Toyota is claiming roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) on a full charge, based on the WLTP cycle. Some might raise an eyebrow at that, but for specific uses – think farms, job sites, or short-haul deliveries – that could be plenty. This ain't your cross-country road trip machine, but it sure can haul a load!

A Global Icon Gets an Electric Makeover

Styling-wise, the ninth-gen Hilux is looking a bit more aggressive, taking cues from the new Land Cruiser and the U.S.-spec Tacoma. Inside, you'll find a nice blend of physical buttons (thank you, Toyota!) and a pair of 12.3-inch screens for your digital instrument cluster and infotainment. And get this – electric power steering is making its debut on the Hilux, along with over-the-air updates for the infotainment. The times, they are a-changin', even for the toughest truck on the block!

Beyond the EV, Toyota's also offering mild-hybrid turbodiesel engines, and non-electrified diesel and gasoline options, depending on the market. They're playing the global game, making sure there's a Hilux for every need. And speaking of the future, a hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) version is expected to join the lineup in 2028. Toyota is one of the few still heavily investing in hydrogen, so they're keeping all their clean-tech irons in the fire. Diversification, baby!

The Long Road to Electrification (and the US Market)

Now, the big question for us here in the U.S.: will we ever see this electric Hilux? Probably not, folks. The Hilux typically skips the U.S. market, where it would directly compete with the Tacoma, which isn't offered as an EV yet. But the global debut of the electric Hilux is still a significant milestone. It shows Toyota is serious about electrification, even for its most beloved workhorses, albeit with a cautious, market-specific approach.

For a company that's often been criticized for being slow to embrace full EVs, this is a clear signal that they are moving forward, understanding that different markets and different customers have different needs. The 150-mile range might not blow anyone's socks off, but it's a start. It's about getting the technology out there, iterating, and learning. It’s like a comedian trying out new material; you start small, see what hits, and then you scale up. And knowing Toyota, they'll build this thing to last 40 years, just like they're talking about with their solid-state batteries!

What’s Next: The new Toyota Hilux goes on sale in Europe in December, with the mild-hybrid diesel following next spring. Expect Toyota to continue its multi-pathway approach to decarbonization, exploring hybrids, FCEVs, and BEVs tailored to regional demands. The electric Hilux might evolve with better range and faster charging in future iterations. Keep an eye on those global markets; that’s where the action is.

So there you have it, folks. The Hilux is electric. Now you know. And knowing is half the battle. Peace!