2026 Toyota HiLux BEV will still be capable off-road

The new Toyota HiLux battery electric vehicle (BEV) is not designed to be an off-road champ in the way its diesel namesake is. Instead, its development focus has been on meeting the needs of fleet customers.

The HiLux BEV was revealed at the 2026 HiLux national media launch and will debut locally with two variants.

Starting prices are tipped to exceed the diesel line-up’s low $70K peak.

Toyota Australia says the HiLux BEV’s primary goal is zero emissions while meeting the needs of mining, farming and fleet operators, though it will also be available to the public.

“The program for [HiLux electric vehicle (EV)] has been quite the challenge for all the design and engineering side,” Toyota Australia vehicle evaluations senior manager Ray Munday said.

“The technology is not there where there’s one single pathway to do super-low carbon [emissions], drive a very long way etcetera.”

The 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV will offer off-road capability via an electronically controlled AWD system and five-mode multi-terrain settings (rock, sand, mud, dirt, moguls).

However, the focus is on reliability for short-range, harsh environments rather than extended low-range driving.

“It’s still a capable product, in name it’s still a HiLux,” Munday said.

“But where a Park Ranger might drive for hours in low range, that’s not what we see this product being.”

Power comes from an 80 cell 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery fitted within the existing IMV ladder frame, shielded by protection plates.

The front e-motor produces 205Nm and the rear axle 268Nm.

Power outputs have not been stated locally but have been reported as 143kW overseas.

The estimated NEDC (ADR) range is approximately 315km.

Charging times are claimed at 6.5 hours for AC 10–100 per cent and 30 minutes optimally for DC 10–80 per cent.

Payload will be about 715kg, and braked towing 2000kg – well down on diesel HiLux.

Off-road specs include 700mm wading depth, 29-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle and 218mm ground clearance, similar to diesel HiLux dual cab 4x4.

The core HiLux BEV technology was developed in Japan with input from Toyota Thailand, where HiLux is built for Australia.

Toyota Australia also trialled a HiLux BEV with miner BHP as part of global programs.

Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley said the HiLux BEV is not expected to be a major sales player.

“It has definite specific applications we believe in mining, airport government agency type area, back to base charging,” Hanley said.

The HiLux BEV is one of the first steps in Toyota’s plans to have 30 per cent of sales to be zero and low emissions vehicles (ZLEVs) by the end of 2030.

A fuel-cell electric (FCEV) HiLux will follow in 2028, with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) also likely to be rolled out.

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