Electric HiLux being trialled Down Under
BY COBEY BARTELS | 1st Nov 2024
TOYOTA Australia has announced a 12-month trial of a battery electric HiLux ute prototype that will be put to work by BHP at its Port Hedland mining operation in Western Australia this month.
In late 2023, Toyota revealed a one-off single-cab HiLux BEV called the Revo Concept that it evaluated locally alongside key fleet customers as a means to assess its market viability.
BHP seems to be the first to put its hand up for a longer trial, opting for a dual-cab variant.
According to Toyota, the trial will kick off in late November, with the HiLux set to be used alongside the 5000 other light vehicles on-site at BHP’s Port Hedland operation. BHP has committed to providing feedback to Toyota.
The trial follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two companies back in 2023, which outlined plans to collaborate on product development, engineering and safety, with an overarching focus on light vehicles that could further decarbonise BHP’s local operations.
BHP and Toyota go back further than 2023 when it comes to electric vehicle prototypes.
In 2021 a small-scale trial involving electric-converted LandCruiser 70 Series was established and was later linked to a collaboration between Toyota Australia and Orange-based specialist GB Auto that had become part of electric conversion kit manufacturer Tembo’s global supply chain, responsible for designing and supplying wiring harnesses for LandCruisers converted using Tembo kits.
GB Auto is now in a commercial distribution partnership with Brisbane-based AusEV for right-hand-drive converted Ford F-150 Lightnings sold to fleets in Australia and for export.
Toyota Australia president Matthew Callachor said the HiLux trial is a significant milestone in the ute’s history, but did not indicate whether a production model is any closer to arriving or whether the prototype used by BHP contains Toyota-developed hardware or a third-party conversion such as those produced by Tembo.
“Toyota has long advocated a multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation, and when we do something, we want to make sure we do it right,” Mr Callachor said.
“Joining with BHP to help further develop this HiLux BEV prototype is an important step in creating low-emission technologies in the light commercial vehicle space, particularly for use in harsh and demanding mining environments.
“This trial is also a demonstration of the commitment shown by both parties to the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, which leverages the strengths of both companies to develop new, safe and exciting technologies to address decarbonisation.
While specifications for the all-electric HiLux have not been shared, the dual-cab mine-spec example is likely to share its powertrain with the aforementioned Revo Concept, which achieved a range of around 200km according to reports.
Considering the hydrogen fuel cell HiLux currently being trialled in the UK shares much of its powertrain with the Mirai, producing a modest 134kW/300Nm, it is possible the battery-electric example uses the same electric drive system.
It is not known yet whether the model is equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive, but with most mine-spec utes being 4x4 examples – the latter is a possibility.
BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery said the HiLux takes the resources company one step closer to its emissions reduction goals, but also spoke about the implications the model could have outside of its site activities.
"Our ambition to electrify our light vehicle fleet and lower greenhouse gas emissions across our operations depends on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations like this, with leading suppliers like Toyota,” Ms Slattery said.
"With around 5000 light vehicles at our sites across Australia, we look forward to putting the Battery Electric HiLux through its paces and seeing the potential it can bring, not only to reduce diesel use in mining but eventually for all HiLux drivers too.”
GoAuto has reached out to Toyota Australia for further details, particularly around the vehicle’s powertrain, but we are yet to hear back.
