√Electric Toyota HiLux prototype spied in Australia

A Toyota-backed electric HiLux ute concept unveiled in Thailand last year has been photographed on Australian soil.

The electric Toyota HiLux ute concept unveiled in Thailand by the Japanese car giant last year has been snapped in Australia – and a production versions could be in overseas showrooms within months.

Photos posted to Twitter by the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) show the concept vehicle – based on a HiLux single-cab pick-up sold in Thailand – in Fremantle port in Western Australia.

It is unclear why the electric HiLux concept – which was built by Toyota for its 60th anniversary in Thailand last year – is in the country.

However it may be for display to mining companies – possibly at a convention in Perth later this month for “carbon-neutral” mining – which have been some of the biggest buyers of privately-converted HiLux utes to date.

Melbourne-based company SEA Electric signed a deal in January to convert 8500 Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser utes to electric propulsion for mining companies, while Queensland company Roev has developed a similar electric HiLux conversion package for fleets.

Images also published by AEVA show a CCS2 charging port, and the rear suspension of the concept – but these appear to be taken on a motor-show stand, rather than the Fremantle port.

A production version of the HiLux electric concept – officially known as the ‘HiLux Revo BEV Concept’, as the regular HiLux is known as the HiLux Revo in Thailand – may be just months away.

Toyota has previously confirmed plans to introduce an electric pick-up to South-East Asian markets by the end of this year, pending any delays.

In a presentation to investors earlier this year the vehicle was referred to as the “IMV BEV”, accompanied by a photo of the concept.

IMV is the name of the platform underpinning the current Toyota HiLux ute and Toyota Fortuner SUV, and BEV is short for “battery-electric vehicle”.

However there is a chance the IMV BEV tag refers to a second electric ute concept unveiled – known as the IMV 0 – alongside the single-cab electric HiLux in Thailand last year, which has also been confirmed for production, underpinned by the same IMV platform.

Toyota is yet to confirm which concept is the one planned to come to production this year.

It’s unclear what implications this electric version of the current HiLux – if it comes to production – will have on a battery-powered version of the next-generation Toyota HiLux, due in 2025.

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