MG U9 EV confirmed as Aussie-first electric ute

MG Motor Australia has detailed its electric ute, MG U9 EV, confirming Australia will be the first market globally to launch the battery-powered version of its dual-cab. It's a notable about-face for a brand that, at the U9's Melbourne debut, said a fully electric ute wasn't a high priority because of payload, towing and range limitations.

What MG hasn't detailed is the bit everyone actually wants: price, or when you can have one.

The headline numbers are attention grabbing - the MG U9 EV runs a huge 102.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery feeding dual electric motors for 325kW and 700Nm, which is good for a 5.8-second 0-100km/h sprint.

That’s quick enough to embarrass most diesel utes. Towing is the benchmark 3500kg braked (750kg unbraked), and MG quotes 430km of WLTP range, though that figure is unladen and untowed.

Payload is where the physics bill arrives. At 685kg, the U9 EV gives up a fair chunk to the diesel U9, which was pitched at roughly one tonne when the nameplate broke cover in Melbourne.

Whether tradies care, or whether this thing is aimed squarely at the camping-and-caravan crowd, is the question MG is effectively answering with its positioning.

Marketing director Dimitri Andreatidis leaned into the lifestyle framing.

"The MG U9 EV brings together the capability and utility people expect from a ute with the comfort and benefits of an electric powertrain," he said.

"It's designed to be used every day, whether that's for work during the week, the school run or getting away on the weekend. Being the first market globally to launch the MGU9 EV is also a significant milestone for MG and reflects the importance of Australia to our business."

Head of product Meng Chen made the trade-off pitch directly.

"It gives customers the option to move to an electric ute without giving up the utility and flexibility they expect from the segment," he said.

Practicality extends to a 236L frunk, a tub that swallows a standard pallet, and 6.6kW vehicle-to-load through an external CCS2 outlet, plus three 2.2kW outlets in the cabin — handy on a job site or a long weekend at the campsite.

Four-wheel electronic air suspension is standard, which could make it expensive. It also has a hands-free tailgate and a 360-degree camera.

Inside, it's the usual modern-ute arms race: dual 12.3-inch screens, leather front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15W wireless charging and an eight-speaker JBL system. The driver's seat is heated, ventilated and massaging; the passenger seat and steering wheel are heated too.

MG claims a five-star ANCAP rating. Worth noting the diesel U9's five stars weren't earned in an Australian crash test, ANCAP awarded them based on data from the related Maxus eTerron 9 electric ute tested by Euro NCAP.

The U9 EV joins a thin but growing electric ute field alongside the LDV eTerron 9, with which it shares SAIC DNA. Toyota's HiLux BEV is also on that list.

The diesel U9 range currently spans $52,990 to $60,990 drive-away. Where the EV lands against that, and against the BYD Shark 6, will decide whether this is a genuine segment-shifter or a halo. MG says more details are coming.

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