LDV eT60 price shock

LDV Australia has released pricing and specification details for Australia’s first battery-electric ute, the new LDV eT60.

And the headline news is the pioneering Chinese dual-cab is priced from $92,990 plus on-road costs – surpassing the Ford Ranger Raptor ($85,490 plus ORCs) to become Australia’s most expensive mid-size ute.

The battery-powered LDV ute’s sticker price is also higher than the previous mid-size ute price record of $87,500 plus ORCs set in May 2019 by the Mercedes-Benz X 350d Edition 1.

And the LDV eT60 also costs more than the cheapest full-size dual-cab 4x4 pick-up, the RAM 1500 Express Quad Cab ($82,950 plus ORCs).

Despite the high price, the LDV T60 range-topper is 2WD-only and arrives in Australia missing key safety and technology equipment, essentially mirroring the diesel-powered LDV T60 Max Pro that costs less than half the price ($41,042 drive-away).

As such, buyers can expect 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, six-way electrically-adjustable front seats and climate-control air-conditioning.

Infotainment comprises a 10.25-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto) and Bluetooth connectivity.

On the safety front, the LDV eT60 gets the usual array of airbag coverage and rudimentary driver aids including a reversing camera, driver fatigue reminder, stability control and anti-lock brakes.

But it misses out on most of the latest driver-assist systems expected in modern vehicles including utes – and now effectively required for a maximum five-star rating from ANCAP, which is yet to rate the new model.

These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and active cruise control (and regular cruise control, for that matter).

The LDV eT60 incorporates a single electric motor on the rear axle, driving only the rear wheels. Its peak outputs are 130kW of power and 310Nm of torque – much less than the 160kW/500Nm 2.8-litre biturbo diesel that powers other T60 utes.

Underneath is a relatively big 88.5kWh battery pack claimed to provide up to 330km of driving range (WLTP).

Charging can be done at up to 80kW using a DC fast-charger, which LDV says will boost the battery level from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 45 minutes.

Slower AC charging can be done at up to 11kW, providing a full charge in about nine hours. The more common 7.4kW home wallbox would take more like 13 hours and a regular powerpoint about 40 hours.

Despite the record-setting purchase price, it doesn’t include complimentary charging at public infrastructure locations, or the installation of a wallbox at home.

The LDV eT60 will be sold at most of LDV’s 94-dealer network around Australia, and is backed by a five-year/130,000km warranty. Oddly enough, the regular, diesel-powered LDV T60 Max is backed by a seven-year, 200,000km warranty.

The eT60’s battery is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty and servicing intervals are two years or 30,000km (costs are not yet available), and five years of roadside assistance is standard.

You can read our full review of the new LDV eT60 here.

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