Toyota HiLux BEV priced from $74,990 as Australia's first electric HiLux arrives

Australia's best-selling ute now comes in electric form. Toyota has confirmed pricing and specs for the 2026 HiLux BEV, its first battery-electric light commercial vehicle arriving in Australian showrooms between April and June this year.

Priced from $74,990 before on-road costs, it lands $17,000 above the equivalent diesel automatic and becomes the most expensive HiLux in the current lineup. Visually, the BEV gets a closed upper grille and aero-style 17-inch alloys with colour choice limited to Glacier White, Frosted White and Ash Slate. Optional paint (Frosted White or Ash Slate) adds $675.

Power comes from twin electric motors producing 82kW/206Nm at the front and 129kW/269Nm at the rear, with combined outputs of 144kW and 468Nm. That's close to the diesel's 150kW/420-500Nm, but delivered through a single-speed reduction gear rather than a six-speed manual or auto.

The 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery supports 150kW DC fast charging (10-80% in around 30 minutes) and 10kW three-phase AC charging (10-100% in roughly 6.5 hours).

Key specs:

Range is one of the weaker points. The 315km NEDC figure for the pick-up drops to 240km on the tougher WLTP cycle used in Europe, and the cab-chassis could fall below 200km WLTP. Braked towing drops from the diesel's 3500kg to 2000kg, and payload figures for Australia haven't been confirmed yet.

Standard equipment on the SR includes:

• LED headlights with manual levelling and automatic high-beam
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with satellite navigation
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 4-speaker sound system
• 2 x front and 2 x rear USB-C outlets
• Dual-zone climate control
• Shift-by-wire gear shifter
• Fabric upholstery and all-weather floor mats
• Urethane steering wheel
• Proximity entry and start
• Side steps
• 1500W inverter in the centre console box

The SR5 pick-up adds:

• High-grade LED headlights with auto-levelling
• LED fog lights and tail-lights
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Painted bonnet moulding and lower grille
• Leather-accented upholstery
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• 8-speaker sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• Carpeted floors
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Soft, lidded instrument panel

Toyota is targeting fleet buyers - specifically mining, construction and government - and forecasts just 500 sales in 2026, roughly 1% of HiLux's typical annual volume of 50,000 units. It will be available to private buyers too with a complimentary 7kW home wallbox charger included for those financing through a novated lease.

The HiLux BEV enters a thin but growing segment. The LDV eT60 and KGM Musso EV are the only other electric utes currently on sale in Australia, with the eT60 offering 330km WLTP range and 2500kg towing from a rear-wheel-drive setup, and the Musso EV undercutting the HiLux on price with a unibody platform. Neither carries Toyota's brand weight or dealer network. More competition is coming - LDV and MG are expected to launch the eTerron 9 and U9 EV, and Isuzu is working on an electric D-Max - but timing for all three remains unconfirmed in Australia.

For fleet operators already running HiLux diesels, the BEV offers a zero-tailpipe-emissions option with familiar Toyota backing. For private buyers or tradies who tow heavy loads regularly, the 2000kg towing cap and real-world range will likely remain dealbreakers.