Toyota Europe has confirmed “approximate” range, payload and towing capacity figures for the coming years HiLux BEV (battery electric vehicle) before launching overseas in December and launching in Australia in early 2026.
Like the new Australian model, this 2026 Toyota HiLux is offered in various European markets with 48 V mild hybrid diesel and pure electric drives. Europe will get the non-48V 2.8-litre diesel like Australia, although the region will also get the cheaper 2.7-litre petrol engine that has been discontinued down under.
However, the focus of the European media release is on preliminary details about the HiLux BEV. The EV ute is powered by a 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery; two electric motors (205 Nm front, 268.6 Nm rear) for “permanent all-wheel drive”; 715kg payload (approx); 1600kg towing capacity (approx); and a WLTP range of approximately 240 km.
By comparison, the HiLux “Hybrid 48V” – or V-Active technology as it’s called here – offers 150kW/500Nm from its 48V-assisted 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
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Toyota adds that it is “targeting best-in-class charging features that minimize vehicle downtime.”
Beyond the powertrain and capabilities, Toyota Europe has confirmed that the HiLux BEV’s body-on-frame construction features “specific measures to protect the battery from damage or water ingress” and claims a “same” wading depth as the current diesel model.
There’s also a Multi-Terrain Select system with different modes to adapt the HiLux’s braking and torque control to different terrains. According to Toyota, this is “equivalent to driving in the L4 range in a conventionally powered vehicle.”
Toyota Australia has just announced pricing and initial specifications for the 2026 diesel HiLux range, which is set to start at $33,990 plus on-road costs when the first vehicles go on sale in December.
The HiLux EV’s arrival in Australia has been confirmed in early 2026, suggesting a January-March launch. A hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has also been confirmed for our market, but not until 2028.
“HiLux BEV will of course be available to anyone who wants to buy one, but we are primarily targeting fleets and urban commercial operators who will benefit most from the benefits of a BEV,” said Sean Hanley, vice president of sales and marketing at Toyota Australia.
Fleet sales account for 48 percent of Toyota sales across all brands sold in Australia, equivalent to approximately 120,000 vehicles per year.
“The Hilux BEV is an integral part of our multi-stage approach to decarbonisation and we are also exploring potential opportunities beyond the vehicles we produce,” Mr Hanley said.
“It will be a vehicle that has a passenger-like payload, so it will not be a heavy-duty vehicle,” he explained.
“We think it’s a good step in the right direction – the market is suitable for this type of car; it won’t be huge numbers, we don’t expect huge volume, but it will play a role.”
Last year, Toyota began testing an electric HiLux here as part of a 12-month trial at mining giant BHP’s Port Headland operation in Western Australia – undoubtedly a precursor to the introduction of the production HiLux BEV.
Stay tuned to Daily Sparkz for the latest Toyota HiLux BEV updates!
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