√2023 LDV eT60 price and specs: Australia’s first electric ute costs from $92,990

Australia’s first electric ute – the LDV eT60 from China – has gone on sale with a high price and limited driving range. But there is already a waiting list to buy one.

2023 LDV eT60 price and specifications
Australia’s first electric ute comes from China
Electric driving range of 330km halved when towing or carrying a load, 2WD only
Priced from $92,990 drive-away, more than double the cost of the top diesel version

The 2023 LDV eT60 – the first electric ute to go on sale in Australia – has beat the market-leading Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger to local showrooms with a zero-emissions pick-up.

The Chinese-made LDV eT60 electric ute joins a revamped LDV T60 range due to arrive in showrooms in the coming weeks (click here for more details).

Priced from $92,990 drive-away the LDV eT60 costs more than twice the price of the most expensive version of the diesel double-cab LDV T60.

However, despite its price, the LDV eT60 electric ute lacks advanced safety aids that are now standard equipment on most rivals, such as autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitors and speed-sign recognition.

Oddly, it also has a standard ignition key rather than push-button start.

For now the electric LDV eT60 is offered in one model grade. It comes with a generous 88.55kWh battery pack which, in a passenger car, would offer about 500km driving range.

However, in the LDV eT60, maximum driving range on a single charge is listed at 330km because of the heavy-duty workhorse vehicle’s extra weight and tall body.

The LDV eT60 ute unladen tips the scales at 3050kg.

LDV data shows driving range is halved when towing or carrying a heavy load.

Maximum towing capacity is capped at a modest 1000kg in a category where 3500kg towing capacity is the norm.

However the 1000kg payload is similar to – or better than – most diesel ute rivals.

The electric motor has a modest claimed output of 130kW/310Nm; energy consumption is rated at 21.3kWh/100km (which would be regarded as thirsty if it were an electric passenger car).

Offered as a 4×2 model only for now (no 4×4 is currently available locally), the distributor of LDV in Australia says it is targeting small to medium businesses who want the flexibility and practicality of a double-cab ute but don’t need gnarly off-road ability or heavy-duty towing capacity.

Although the LDV eT60 has similar high-riding looks to diesel four-wheel-drive variants of the LDV T60, ground clearance is reduced due to the battery pack (187mm on the eT60 versus 215mm for the diesel T60).

The Australian distributor of LDV in Australia says it has modest sales expectations for the eT60 given it is a new segment of the ute market – and the price makes it one of the most expensive vehicles in the category.

The $92,990 drive-away price parks the LDV eT60 alongside the new Ford Ranger Raptor twin-turbo V6 performance pick-up.

Despite the high price, as the first mover in the electric ute category LDV Australia says it is already holding orders and receiving expressions of interest from small to medium businesses – and fleet buyers – with a focus on zero emissions workhorse vehicles.

While LDV earlier this month introduced a seven-year/200,000km warranty on certain models in its range – including the diesel T60 – the LDV eT60 retains the older 5-year/160,000km warranty. However, the LDV eT60 battery pack is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty.

Servicing intervals are listed at 24 months or 30,000km (whichever comes first).