Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Keeping Its Options OpenThe electrification era has shown varying strategies among automakers, with some planning to become all-electric as soon as 2030. Toyota, meanwhile, has remained steady with a multi-powertrain strategy, so much so that the RAV4 is available with traditional gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.That approach is especially interesting in Australia, where more midsize pickup trucks are getting the plug, including the Ford Ranger PHEV. Toyota's entry in this segment is the Hilux, which, according to CarExpert, is not expected to offer a PHEV variant anytime soon because this type of powertrain may not suit a workhorse truck, or ute in the Land Down Under.Toyota AustraliaWhy The Plug Gets ComplicatedRay Munday, Toyota Australia's senior manager of product planning and pricing, said a plug-in hybrid powertrain would bring a significant weight penalty to the Hilux, which could affect workhorse capabilities such as payload and towing. That is because a PHEV requires additional components, including a high-voltage battery pack and at least one electric motor.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat complexity is avoided with the current diesel setup, specifically a 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four delivering 150 kW (201 horsepower) and up to 500 Nm of torque (369 lb-ft of torque). It could be paired with a 48-volt system, which the automaker refuses to consider a true hybrid, that boosts the torque up to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). There is also an all-electric Hilux, though it is aimed more at fleet buyers.As such, Munday argued that PHEV systems "aren't necessarily developed at the moment to be able to meet our standards of what heavy towing means for a Hilux customer."ToyotaThe Plug-In Pickup GapPHEVs also remain limited in the U.S. due to various reasons, such as a higher price tag and underwhelming reliability scores. Instead, automakers are showing more interest in extended-range electric vehicle setups for trucks, as seen with the Ram 1500 REV and the Scout Terra. Ford has also confirmed that the now-discontinued F-150 Lightning EV will return with a range-extender setup.But if PHEV trucks improve in the future, they could offer several advantages, including better towing confidence than all-electric trucks and generator-like capability for work needs, thanks to the combination of a combustion engine and a larger battery than those found in conventional hybrids.ToyotaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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