Toyota is finally taking a more concrete step towards electric vehicles with the announcement of the Hilux Revo BEV. This all-electric version of their popular Hilux pickup truck is set to begin production in Thailand by the end of 2025. This news comes after Toyota unveiled a prototype of the electric Hilux in late 2022.
The decision to manufacture the Hilux BEV in Thailand makes sense considering the country's strong preference for pickup trucks. Over half of all vehicles sold in Thailand are pickups, making it a prime market for Toyota's electric offering. The electric Hilux will directly compete with the upcoming electric Isuzu D-Max, another pickup truck being assembled in Thailand.
While Toyota has been slower than some competitors to embrace electric vehicles, this announcement signals a shift. The company has previously focused heavily on hybrid technology, with their chairman expressing skepticism about the dominance of pure EVs. However, the Hilux BEV marks a growing commitment to offering zero-emission options.
Details about the Hilux BEV's specifications remain scarce. During a recent interview, Toyota mentioned a range of "around 124 miles," but without specifying the testing method used to determine that figure. This range might be a concern for some truck owners who often haul heavy loads. Hopefully, Toyota's engineers can strike a balance between a practical battery size that offers sufficient range and avoiding an overly large battery that would negatively impact performance.
Interestingly, Toyota has chosen to electrify the current generation Hilux, which has been around for almost a decade. This could indicate that the existing model will remain in production for a few more years. It's also possible that the next-generation Hilux might be a substantial refresh rather than a completely new design. This approach would allow Toyota to leverage the development work done for the electric Hilux on the upcoming gasoline or hybrid version.
The Hilux BEV isn't Toyota's only foray into electric trucks. They previously showcased a Tacoma-like electric pickup concept in late 2021. Additionally, the 2023 Japan Mobility Show saw Toyota unveil the EPU concept and the IMV-0 concept, both electric trucks. While the IMV-0 is already available in Thailand with a combustion engine (at a very affordable price point), the Hilux BEV marks the company's first concrete step towards mass production of an electric pickup truck.