Electric GWM Ute still on track for Australia

Electric utes are coming to Australia, but not all of them will be high-performance pick-up trucks like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.

GWM Australia has confirmed that development of an all-electric version of the latest-generation GWM Ute is continuing in China, and that the EV workhorse remains on the agenda for sale Down Under.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version is also in the works.

Details of both electrified powertrains remain under wraps, but the company showed an EV version of the GWM Ute (aka Poer in China) at the Beijing motor show last September that was claimed to produce 150kW/300Nm and offer a driving range of 405km.

The latter figure is down on the 500km range announced when the EV was first confirmed in 2019.

GWM Australia marketing chief Steve Maciver has now told carsales that it’s a case of when, not if, both the EV and PHEV versions of its well-received 4x4 dual-cab ute arrive.

“There is without a doubt all these alternate powertrain options on the cards, and I think we’ll get the [EV] ute eventually,” he said.

“It’s absolutely under development in China, and things will move quickly.”

Asked if the PHEV version would be more likely to arrive here first, Maciver said: “It’s too early to say. EV and PHEV utes are probably still a little way off.”

The next-generation Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are among the GWM Ute rivals that look set to offer hybrid powertrains in the next few years.

GWM’s first electrified vehicle will arrive in Australia later in 2021 in the form of the Haval H6 hybrid, and the brand is also planning to introduce an EV-exclusive sub-brand here, Ora.

Expect to see more GWM Ute models in future as well, including a Nissan Navara Warrior rival such as the GWM Baja Snake and even a full-size pick-up truck to take on the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado in the form of the GWM X Cannon.