Toyota HiLux BEV confirmed for 2026

A battery-electric Toyota HiLux has been confirmed as an addition to the new ninth-generation line-up in the first half of 2026, with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain (FCEV) to be added in 2028.

While both electric HiLuxes are focussed on fleets, the BEV will also be offered to private buyers such urban as tradies.

Toyota has hinted the HiLux FCEV will potentially have a private buyer audience as well.

Neither will elbow the new diesel HiLux – on sale from December – aside for popularity.

The BEV will be a dual cab offered in two forms: a lower grade combining elements of the traditional Workmate and SR grades alongside an upper-spec SR5 equivalent.

Both will be powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive set-up and have a lithium-ion battery. Range and pricing is as yet unconfirmed.

“It will be dearer than the diesel utes we have right now,” Toyota Australia marketing chief Sean Hanley told media.

“But it’s got to be attainable, it can’t be $100,000.”

No details were revealed about the hydrogen model, in fact at an embargoed HiLux media briefing in October, no mention of it was made at all.

However, Hanley did reiterate the company’s support for hydrogen as a future fuel.

“I recently spoke about our belief that diesel fuel as we know today will likely need to be phased out in the coming decades,” he said.

“I stand by that statement and believe hydrogen has a big future in Australia and the automotive industry.”

He also backed biodiesel as a future fuel option.

“In order not to leave anyone behind, we are also supportive of the development of low carbon liquid fuels like biodiesel,” he confirmed.

As reported here, a Toyota UK FCEV HiLux development has been under study by Toyota Australia for some time.

Hanley was optimistic about the reception both electric HiLuxes would receive.

“The introduction of the first-ever HiLux BEV reinforces Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to decarbonisation, which is an exciting step forward for fleets and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

“The inclusion of an FCEV variant in 2028 reinforces this multi-pathway approach and is the result of Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen fuel-cell electric technology.”

As previously reported, part of BEV HiLux's development has been on trial at a BHP mine in Western Australia.

Hanley indicated that would be a core part of the production model’s customer base.

“We have seen a growing demand for BEVs in the ute space, particularly … among fleet buyers.

“These are vehicles that will be used largely in short distance operations that need the payload and passenger capacity and are able to be recharged easily and economically.

“Where this will have massive appeal will be mining.”

At the same time Hanley played down the prospects of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid HiLux being introduced, despite the success of the BYD Shark 6 and the launch of a PHEV in the line-up of the arch-rival Ford Ranger.

“Not at this stage, but not ruling it out entirely,” he said.

“There is no plan right now, we are having the BEV for the moment, but you would never rule out the expansion of hybrid going forward.”

Pricing and specification of the BEV HiLux will be announced closer to its Australian launch in the first half of 2026 and will undoubtedly play a big role in how widely it’s accepted beyond its core market.

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