An electric version of the JAC T9 The dual-cab SUV could hit Australian showrooms as a competitor to the electric Toyota HiLux. On-site testing and evaluations are ongoing as record fuel prices across the country increase its appeal to fleet and private buyers.
Speaking to media including Daily Sparkz Speaking at the Melbourne Motor Show, Ahmed Mahmoud, managing director of JAC importer LTS Auto, said record fuel prices and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) had changed the brand’s approach.
While work has already been underway on an electric T9 for mining companies, currently only sold here with a diesel engine, pressure from fuel prices and electric vehicle growth is looking at a showroom version for Australian buyers.
“If you had asked me this question eight weeks ago…” Mr Mahmoud said when asked about JAC’s local electricity plans.
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The T9 EV was shown in Australia in 2025, with a 70kW/176Nm engine on the front axle and a 150kW/340Nm rear motor, providing all-wheel drive and 0-100km/h acceleration in a claimed 8.4 seconds.
Its 88 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery enables a WLTP range of 340 km with a payload of 900 kg and a braked towing capacity of 2,000 kg.
The existing diesel-powered T9 ute will soon be joined by the JAC T9 Hunter PHEV (plug-in hybrid), which made its local debut at the Melbourne Motor Show.
The PHEV will be the brand’s rival to the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV vehicles, but pricing has yet to be announced.
In 2025, the company began a six-month trial of a single T9 electric vehicle – the first in the country – with Western Australian mining company Warrikal, which ended in February.
“We have now committed to building another sample vehicle to mine specification. Production of this vehicle will be completed by the end of April and will be delivered directly to WA in the middle of the year,” Mr Mahmoud said.
“This will be negotiated for a few months in one of the big mining companies there.”
Recent record fuel prices — gasoline is averaging more than $2.50 a liter nationwide and diesel has more than doubled to around $3.26 a liter in the past six weeks — mean an electric vehicle could have appeal beyond fleets and mining companies.
“The desire of a private customer to pay X’ amount more for an electric vehicle may not have been there some time ago, so we focused on the fleets and mines and worked with JAC China primarily to build a mining vehicle,” Mr Mahmoud said.
“Just recently we said, ‘You know what? Why isn’t this just a small car? Why can’t we? And there’s absolutely no reason for us not to build a car as a retail specification and bring it to market. We just have to make sure it’s offered at a price that’s also consumable by our customers,” said the LTS Auto boss.
A showroom version would not be part of the local offering until late 2027 at the earliest, Mr Mahmoud said. At this point, the Toyota HiLux BEV (battery electric vehicle) has been for sale here for more than 12 months.
The HiLux BEV is due to launch here next month and will be offered in two model grades, priced from $74,990 excluding on-road costs for the SR double cab/chassis.
The corresponding diesel-powered HiLux costs from $57,990 (excluding on-road costs), making it around 22 percent cheaper.
Another electric car, the KGM Musso EV, starts at $60,000 before on-roads, while the diesel-powered version – a significantly different vehicle on a completely different platform – starts at $42,500 before on-roads, about 29 percent less.
MG has confirmed it will also launch an electric Subway here, based on its U9 dual-cab model, but has not yet confirmed local pricing. The U9 EV made its debut at the Melbourne Show.
It is the price premium that JAC is weighing to decide whether it will add the T9 EV to its local offering. Mr Mahmoud said an EV model would cost “significantly more” than diesel equivalents.
The current T9 in local showrooms is powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine and is priced at $38,990 before on-roads. Using the HiLux BEV and Musso EV as a guide, a hypothetical 25 percent premium would result in an EV version costing around $49,000.
This would make the JAC T9 EV the cheapest electric car available in Australia.
“It’s not about us not being able to bring a full-fledged retail or commercial specification electric vehicle to market, it’s about whether it’s offered at a price where it makes sense for the mines,” Mr Mahmoud said.
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