H2X reveals 'Mad Max' ute

An Australian-made electrified ute with styling inspired by Mad Max could rival the Tesla Cybertruck, Nikola Badger, Rivian R1T and next-gen Ford F-150 EV if the plans of ambitious local start-up H2X come to fruition.

Shown in sketch form for the first time here, the pick-up is not yet a confirmed part of the H2X future model plan, but is definitely on the wanted list because of the popularity of utes here.

Publicly launched last Friday, H2X plans to reboot the Australian auto manufacturing industry on the back of abundant local hydrogen reserves.

It has confirmed plans for heavy vehicle production by July 2021 – said to be a prime mover and a bus – with light commercial taxis and vans to follow.

It has also previewed an SUV dubbed the Snowy which could be its first passenger vehicle aimed at the private market by 2024. For the first time, we’re showing official H2X artwork of that vehicle’s proposed interior.

But the company has also revealed its interest in developing a hydrogen fuel-cell utility and has issued this artwork of an aggressively-styled single-cab pick-up to prove it.

H2X CEO Brendan Norman told carsales a dual-cab version would be an obvious model to bring to market here.

“The dual-cab is definitely the one we would come with to Australia,” Norman said. “As it’s a way off the design intention was designed to look a bit Mad Max.

“But we kind of like it so that is how we will approach it.

“Once we scope the market and the customers’ voice, we will get a bit more clarity on that.

“We need to do our homework, and now we are out in the open we can start to do that in haste.”

There are no mechanical details about the H2X ute on offer as yet, but it’s worth noting the Snowy – which would probably rely on a similar powertrain – has a 60kW fuel-cell and an overall power output of 190kW.

Electrified utes are becoming a big thing as more and more new models and concepts are launched.

The one that seems closest to the H2X ‘Mad Max’ in concept is the Nikola Badger, which offers both hydron fuel-cell and battery electric powertrain options and has been officially confirmed to be coming to Australia.

Others include the Tesla Cybertruck EV and its mooted little brother. The Rivian R1T is also an EV and it is due in production in early 2021. The electric version of the new F-150 is yet to be sighted but it is due in 2022.