The electric utes you can buy in Australia
Looking to switch from your diesel-powered ute into something electric in the next few years? Here are the electric utes available in Australia right now, and what’s coming soon.
Note: We’ll keep updating this article as new info on electric utes in Australia becomes available. Or as new models go on sale!
Electric utes available in Australia right now
It’s slim-pickings for the electric-loving ute crowd at the moment. Here’s what we could find.
LDV eT60
The LDV eT60 has scraped in as pretty much Australia’s only electric ute on sale in late-2024. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
Range and Battery Capacity
The LDV eT60 packs an 88.55kWh battery, which pledges a range of 330 km (under WLTP testing). Real-world conditions, especially with a load or towing, might reduce this range closer to 300 km.
It can be charged from 20% to 80% in about 45 minutes using an 80kW DC fast charger.
An 11kW wallbox, meanwhile, will score you a full charge in roughly nine hours. Not bad for plugging in at the end of a workday.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The LDV eT60 has a max braked-towing capacity of 1000kg. That means it kind of falls short compared to other diesel utes on the market.
Diesel utes can typically tow roughly three-times that capacity. A tonne of payload isn’t bad, but you do lose out a little compared to what’s on the market right now.
Off-Road Capability
A few more limitations to consider here: this one isn’t an off-roader.
Instead of 4×4 capabilities, the eT60 features rear-wheel drive. And unlike other off-road-ready utes, the eT60 has a lower ground clearance at around 187mm.
That sees it being bested by some compact SUVs in the ground-clearance department. And the Dino-juice-powered Ford Everest, by comparison has 229mm of ground clearance.
Price
Like all first-gen products, it’s also pretty pricey. You’ll have to part with around $93,000 AUD before on-roads to get yourself behind the wheel of this one.
Coming soon (late-2024, 2025)
Here are some utes that are about to crest the horizon of the Australian car market.
From everything I have heard, we should see these models rolling onto showroom floors as early as late-2024, or in 2025.
Tembo Tusker
The Tembo Tusker is meant to balance decent off-road performance and be super-price competitive compared to other models on this list.
Right now it has been “announced” for Australia, but full specs are still incoming. You can still probably slap some cash down for a pre-order, though.
Range and Battery Capacity
The Tembo Tusker packs two battery options. There’s a 65kWh battery with a range of up to 330 km, then there’s a 77kWh battery providing up to 400 km on a single charge.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Tusker is here to be put to work. You get a braked-towing capacity of 3000kg (750kg unbraced). Then you get a payload capacity of 1000kg.
Off-Road Capability
Here’s where it gets really interesting. Electric off-roading is possible!
Tembo says it wants the Tusker to be an off-roader, but we haven’t heard what sort of drivetrain it’s packing. To be a decent weekend off-roader, you’d at least hope for all-wheel drive, right?
Price
The Tembo Tusker is set to start at $74,000 AUD before tax and and on-roads costs.
This is super-compelling, and would make it one of the best-value electric vehicles in Australia for its practicality alone.
Coming later (late-2025 and beyond)
Car development takes a while. But thankfully, car-makers give us hints as to what’s coming down the road. Literally and figuratively.
Kia Tasman Electric
The Kia Tasman is about to cause quite a stir. And we may be getting an EV model in late-2025.
Here’s what rumblings are saying about this one so far.
Range and Battery Capacity
This one is expected to pack a pretty decent battery under the frame.
The Tasman EV may feature a 123kWh battery which could theoretically put it to a range of 500km on a single charge.
That’s not bad for a long-distance job!
Towing and Payload Capacity
The existing Kia Tasman ICE has a towing capacity of 3500kg, and the EV model is slated to have something similar up its sleeve.
It’s suggested that the Tasman EV will target around 3400kgs of towing capacity, as well as a 1100kg of payload capacity. This will make it a more-than-capable little workhorse.
Off-Road Capability
It’s anticipated the Tasman EV will feature all-wheel drive. It’d want to have it too, given the kind of terrain Aussie tradies would have to tackle day-in and day-out.
Price
We’ll have a firmer price when it comes to market. Right now it’s anticipated you’d have to spend around $90,000 for a Tasman EV.
GWM Ute EV
You’ve probably seen the cute-as-a-button GWM Ora getting around Australian cities recently. GWM – or Great Wall Motors – reportedly has another ute in the works.
Creatively, it’s named the GWM Ute EV. At least you’ll never forget it, I guess?
Range and Battery Capacity
Current reports point to the GWM Ute EV coming with a range of between 400km and 450km on a single charge.
Right now, there are very few details on the battery, though. So take this one with a grain of salt until we learn more.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Again, this is speculative, but I’m hearing you’ll get around 3000kg with this one.
Price
No price details just yet, either. We’d have to wait until a global launch to start decoding this one!
Stay tuned, GWM fans.
Hyundai IONIQ T7 and T10
Hyundai’s IONIQ T7 and T10 are upcoming electric utility vehicles, positioned to appeal to a range of Australian buyers. While Hyundai hasn’t released all details, the T7 and T10 promise to bring versatility and eco-friendly performance to the electric ute market by 2025 or 2026.
IONIQ T7
The IONIQ T7 is likely to be a smaller, more affordable option in Hyundai’s ute lineup. Primarily it’ll be aimed at those looking for a compact EV that’s more practical than something like a Tesla Model Y.
Precise specs haven’t been confirmed, but we expect solid range and load capacity tailored for light to moderate use here.
Pricing for the T7 is expected to be competitive, making it accessible to a broader audience seeking an entry-level electric ute option.
IONIQ T10
In contrast, the IONIQ T10 is expected to be a larger, more rugged ute.
It’s reportedly designed to compete with chunky utes like the super-trucks that are taking up all the space on your street right know.
This model will likely incorporate Hyundai’s new Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA), allowing for greater flexibility in battery capacity and range.
Speculations suggest the T10 will come with a larger battery pack that could support extended range and significant towing capabilities, making it suitable for both work and recreational use.
Hyundai aims to offer full AWD on this model, enhancing its off-road potential and appealing to those who require a more robust electric ute .
Isuzu D-Max BEV
Is there any more Australian name than “Bev”? In reality, it stands for “battery-electric vehicle” (and has been around for a while as a term), but I always enjoy hearing about a car called BEV.
The D-Max is already super-popular in Australia, and an EV model is slated for global markets in 2025.
Range and Battery Capacity
The D-Max BEV should feature a 66.9 kWh battery, and an all-wheel drive system. There’s no range confirmed yet but that should be enough for daily use.
Towing and Payload Capacity
You should be able to match the braked-towing capacity of the existing diesel-powered D-Max here of around 3500kg.
Off-Road Capability
This one is exciting: we’re apparently going to see a full-time all-wheel drive system on the D-MAX BEV.
That means you’ll not only cop the ability to drive over a muddy job site, but also maybe to a great weekend camp site.
Price
Pricing for the D-Max BEV is still to be confirmed, though estimates suggest it may enter the market around £50,000 (or AUD $90,000)
Probably not coming at all
I would be surprised if you see any of these models available for Australians.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the popular F-150.
Curiously, the dino-powered F150 has gone on sale in Australia recently, but you’re unlikely to see the electric model any time soon.
Rivian R1T
This one is a shame, because it’s a truly-interesting electric car.
The R1T is a luxury electric ute that is packed to the gills with modern tech. Just check out MKBHD’s video on it to see how innovative it is.
Unfortunately, Rivian isn’t really interested in going after markets outside the US right now. It’s a no-go right now, Aussies.
Tesla Cybertruck
A Tesla Cybertruck has been spotted cruising through the streets of Sydney this morning, despite not being available for purchase in Australia.
The controversial electric pickup truck has temporary QLD number plates and was seen in Bondi, Coogee and North Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/ROyvYSlnJh
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) April 26, 2024
This one, I think, we’re all thankful for.
The dumpster-shaped Tesla Cybertruck did make a brief appearance on Australian roads as a stunt recently.
But Tesla would have to retool it for a right-hand drive market, and for a market that cares about safety.
Good riddance.
