If you think that a battery-powered utility truck (or “pickup truck”, if you’re from the US of A) couldn’t possibly have the power and durability of a similar ute powered by petrol or diesel, all-electric trucks may soon have you changing your mind.
Billions has been spent on the research and development of full-size electric trucks by various companies, and a whole host of new electric trucks will be coming out over the next few years.
Although there are currently no commercially available electric trucks for sale in Australia, expect that situation to change as Electric Vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity and start to flood the marketplace.
Below is a list of some of the most exciting EV trucks that are coming in the near future, although there’s no certainty that every model – we’re looking at you, Nueron EV T-One, which seems to have vanished without a trace – will go into production.
Tesla Cybertruck
While its angular, sci-fi stylings have the potential to see it laughed off the road, there’s no denying that Tesla has developed a space-ute that can do the job – and then some. Three models have been announced – Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD), dual-motor All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) and tri-motor AWD – with estimated ranges between 400 and 800 kilometres, depending on the model. While it’s still unknown if the four-door polygonal electric truck will make it to Australia, the Cybertruck will be hitting the US market in 2022. Cross your fingers, Elon fans.
GMC Hummer EV
The electric vehicle truck with the greatest 4×4 off-road capability might be the GMC Hummer EV pickup, which comes packing a road-busting 745kW tri-motor powertrain and can get from zero to 97km/h in a swift 3.0 seconds. Due for release in the US in late-2021, the GMC Hummer EV will come with an eye-wateringly expensive launch price – the thing does have a diagonal ‘crab walk’ function, mind – but less expensive models will arrive soon after.
Rivian R1T
The Amazon and Ford-backed EV start-up Rivian has made major waves with its R1T, an electric double-cab ute that’s also had a right-hand-drive version developed, meaning it’s highly likely to find it’s way to Australia eventually. The R1T ute and the similar R1S SUV will be on sale in the US later on 2021, with the R1T sure to impress with its ability to do a standing-still “tank turn” – a manoeuvre sure to come in handy when in an off-road pickle.
ACE Yewt
This small and nifty single-cab electric ute has been developed for tradies by an Australian start-up called ACE, who is selling it for around $40,000 – a reasonably low price compared to other similar EVs on the market. The Yewt has a maximum payload of 500kg and can reach a top speed of 100km/h, which isn’t too bad for an EV that look a little bit like an electronic toy car. And its name simply cannot be pronounced without an Aussie twang. What a corker.
Bollinger B2
Bollinger has taken design cues from Tesla’s Cybertruck with its boxy, angular B2, an aluminium-body ute with military-inspired detailing that will no doubt intimidate other drivers. Available in both single and double-cab, the B2 has an impressive 3400kg towing capacity and the strength to carry a 2200kg payload in a tray custom-built for tradesmen. The B2 will be available in the US from late-2021, with no news thus far on the model making it to Australia.
Ford F-150 Electric
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling pickup truck in America – and has, at times, been the biggest selling vehicle of any kind in the world – so it will be interesting to see how consumers react when the F-150 Electric comes into the market in late-2021. Sure to win fans is the fact Ford is touting it as having more power and torque than any other model in the F-150 range, although specific details are yet to be announced. The standard F-150 isn’t available in Australia, so don’t expect the F-150 Electric to be making an appearance any time soon either.
Fisker Alaska
Danish designer Henrik Fisker must be kicking himself – he’d been developing EVs well before Elon Musk became synonymous with them, but will only see his first model – the Fisker Ocean electric SUV – arrive in 2023. The dual-cab Fisker electric ute, the Alaska, isn’t expected until 2025, but that doesn’t mean Fisker will be twiddling its thumbs in the meantime: it’s signed a deal with Pope Francis to design the next Popemobile, which will be ready for delivery in late-2022.
GWM Ute EV
Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors (GWM) – which already sells internal-combustion-engine (ICE) utes in Australia – is getting in the electric ute game with a Toyota HiLux-sized beast known as the “Poer” (expect that name to change once it hits the Aussie market, most likely in 2022). It’s a pretty poor name, but still.
Keyword: The Five best Electric utes heading to Australia