Global pickup icon Toyota Hilux enters the electrified era. Brandishing its ninth generation, the new Hilux launches with an all-electric powertrain—the first time this model has embraced EV technology.
Under the skin, Toyota has equipped the Hilux EV with a dual-motor setup, one motor per axle, dispensing with a traditional transfer case and instead offering full-time four-wheel drive. A 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack sits beneath the floor, between the chassis rails—helping lower the center of gravity while preserving interior space.
Performance figures reveal a combined output of 193 hp (144 kW), with the front motor delivering 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) and the rear 269 Nm (198 lb-ft). In terms of utility, the EV pickup offers a payload capacity of 715 kg (1,576 lbs) and a towing capacity of up to 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs).
When it comes to range, the Hilux EV takes a pragmatic approach: Toyota estimates roughly 240 km (150 miles) on the WLTP cycle. While modest compared to many modern EVs, it aligns with the work-truck usage profile Toyota envisions—particularly for farms, job sites, or commercial fleets.
Charging capability includes DC fast-charging support up to 150 kW, though Toyota hasn’t yet released details for Level 2 AC charge rates.
Design-wise, the new Hilux adopts a more aggressive styling direction, sharing visual cues with the new Toyota Land Cruiser and the U.S.-spec Toyota Tacoma. Inside, technology gets a major boost with dual 12.3-inch screens (instrument cluster + infotainment), electric power steering (a first for Hilux), and over-the-air update capability.
Toyota confirms that besides the EV version, the new Hilux will also be offered with a 2.8-liter diesel equipped with mild-hybrid technology, as well as more conventional 2.8-liter diesel and 2.7-liter gasoline engines, depending on the region. Looking ahead, a hydrogen fuel-cell version is planned for 2028.
For Europe, the electrified Hilux goes on sale in December, while the mild-hybrid diesel arrives the following spring. Toyota indicates the Hilux EV is unlikely to reach the U.S. market, where it would overlap with the Tacoma and face a different competitive landscape.
In short: with the electrified Hilux, Toyota brings EV capability to a rugged, globally-recognized pickup platform. Though its range may not rival luxury EVs, its focus on utility, versatility, and Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy reflects a distinct vision—electric, yes, but also practical and work-ready.
