JAC T9 electric ute specs revealed

The battery-electric JAC T9 Hunter dual-cab ute coming to Australia in 2024 will offer basic performance and capabilities similar to the recently-launched LDV eT60.

However, carsales has learned that JAC’s upcoming EV ute (standard Hunter dual-cab pictured here) will only be a stop-gap until a bigger new electrified pick-up arrives from the Chinese auto giant in Australia as soon as 2025.

Official JAC Motors documentation seen by carsales confirms the all-new and as-yet-unnamed ute will be offered as both an all-electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid, but will not be available with a traditional turbo-diesel drivetrain.

The US-developed and manufactured Rivian R1T is also named as being the benchmark for the new JAC ute, which suggests a modular skateboard platform, albeit with space for a combustion engine in the PHEV.

The Rivian R1T is only sold as an EV in the US, where it comes with dual or quad e-motors and lithium-ion battery capacities of between 105kWh and 180kWh, offering outputs of up to 623kW and stunningly fast acceleration claims.

At 5514mm long, the R1T is about 200mm longer than the mid-size one-tonne dual-cab utes that dominate the Australian market but around 500mm shorter than full-size US pick-ups such as the Ford F-150.

It also has an SUV sibling, the R1S, that spins off the same platform.

Jason Pecotic, the managing director of independent Australian JAC importer, BLK Auto, predicted a 2024 reveal for the all-new ute and a local introduction date that could be as early as 2025.

“My understanding is we will see the new ute in 2024,” he said.

The second JAC ute’s Australian release in 2025 would coincide with the expansion of the local JAC Motors line-up from commercial vehicles to SUVs.

Passenger cars are also on the list of JAC vehicles to come to Australia as part of a five-year expansion plan.

If it does come with similar specs to the Rivian R1T, the new JAC electrified ute will bring a gigantic lift in performance and capability over the T9 Hunter EV, which like the LDV eT60 will offer a basic 4x2 (rear-drive) layout with a single e-motor.

Due to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2024, nearly 12 months after the turbo-diesel model, the T9 Hunter EV lines up very closely compared with the LDV eT60.

Specs obtained from JAC show it makes 150kW/290Nm, has a 77kWh CATL battery pack offering a 300km WLTP range, and comes with 11kW AC charging capability (77kW on DC).

The average energy consumption claim is given as 25.7-27.5kWh.

Kerb weight is listed as 2.3 tonnes, its payload at one tonne and its braked towing capacity at only 1000kg.

We’ve compared the JAC and LDV’s specs below.

Pricing is one variable that is not yet comparable as that is a long way from being announced by BLK Auto for the T9.

Even if it does dramatically undercut the prohibitively expensive $92,990 (plus ORCs) LDV, there are no big sales expectations for it.

Instead, it is expected to generate limited fleet sales and act as a flagship to promote more capable future EVs such as the 2024-25 electrified ute.

JAC T9 Hunter EV versus LDV eT60:

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