A factory-backed electric-power Toyota HiLux has been unveiled in Thailand. Here’s what we know so far.
A battery-powered electric Toyota HiLux ute has been revealed as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Toyota in Thailand.
The electric ute – which remains a concept for now, and is based on a single-cab pick-up variant – was unveiled by the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, but he gave no technical information, production details or arrival timing.
Instead, he said the HiLux was to “support carbon neutrality and a better environment for all”.
Toyota has provided few official pictures of the electric HiLux concept. A series of photos has also been published on Instagram by user Kurdistan Automotive Blog.
The pictures available show a single-cab HiLux ute with the long tray popular in many Asian countries.
It looks like a regular production HiLux, apart from the blanked-off grille common to most electric vehicles, and a large side charging port behind the front-left wheel.
The HiLux was unveiled alongside a second commercial vehicle, the IMV O Concept – Innovative International Multi-Purpose Vehicle – which Mr Toyoda confirmed for production next year.
“Between them, they represent two different ends of the automotive spectrum, for different needs and different customers. One designed to support economic growth and mobility for all, and one designed to support carbon neutrality and a better environment for all,” Mr Toyoda said.
The IMV 0 Concept is expected to spawn a range of affordable trucks, vans and cars for Asian markets including Thailand.
“I truly believe this is a product that can enhance the quality of life for many people and provide new economic opportunities,” said Mr Toyoda of the IMV 0 Concept.
He also used the event to reinforce the Toyota position on electric vehicles.
“I am often criticised in the press because I won’t declare that the automotive industry should commit 100 per cent to BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles). I believe we need to be realistic about when society will be able to fully adopt Battery Electric Vehicles and when our infrastructure can support them at scale,” said Mr Toyoda.
“Because, just like the fully autonomous cars that we were all supposed to be driving by now, I think BEVs are just going to take longer to become mainstream than the media would like us to believe. And, frankly, BEVs are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals.
“Personally, I would rather pursue every option not just one options such as emission-free synthetic fuels and hydrogen. I still believe hydrogen is as promising a technology for our future as BEV.”
Toyota recently announced it had begun work on a hydrogen-powered HiLux, using the fuel-cell propulsion pack from its Mirai hydrogen sedan, after receiving funding from the British government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) for zero-emissions vehicle development.
Apart from unveiling the electric HiLux and the IMV 0 concepts, Mr Toyota also stood on stage in Thailand with a converted HiLux dual-cab sports ute.
“I borrowed this super tricked-out HiLux from one of our customers. I don’t just like cars… I love them! And nothing pleases me more than seeing our customers enjoying them as much as I do.”
The post Electric Toyota HiLux ute concept revealed appeared first on Drive.
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