Tembo Tusker BEV utes here soon

RUGGEDISED BEV ute specialist Tembo has confirmed its Tusker rebadged and modified Chinese-made Dayun single- and dual-cab pick-up will be available in Australia soon priced from $74,000 plus on-road costs.

Due to start arriving in a few months, Tembo says it is holding orders for 200 Tuskers from the mining industry all set to be delivered by February 2026: the company also facilitating finance deals on the electric ute as part of an all-inclusive subscription package.

At the moment, the Tusker’s only OEM competitor is the slow sellingLDV eT60 ute at $92,990 + ORC with other planned BEV ute launches yet to materialise.

Tembo’s 100 per cent electric offering marks what the company says is a significant milestone in its plan to “electrify global off-road vehicles” through “sector-leading price that demonstrates the power of Tembo’s next-generation global design and partner network”.

Founded in 1969 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Tembo refers to itself as a global leader in off-road electric vehicles for demanding users. It first trialled its range of 4x4 conversions in Australia in 2018.

The Tusker emanates from Tembo’s design centres in Europe… and global platform partners and features 65kWh and 77kWh batteries range-wide providing a claimed 330km to 400km on a single charge.

The Tusker S and D run a single rear-mounted electric motor that generates 120kW and 330Nm of torque in the S while the D ups that to 130kW with the same amount of torque at 330Nm.

According to Tembo, the model has a top speed limited to 120km/h and all configurations have a 1000kg load capacity and can tow up to 750kg (unbraked).

Four-wheel drive and higher-grade versions of both are likely … at a premium with a petrol-assisted range-extender (hybrid) that may offer a 1000km in range also a possibility.

The basis for Tusker is the China-built Dayun Electric Pickup that has been modified and rebadged and is currently undergoing ADR homologation.

As to battery recharge rates, Tembo hasn’t provided details but other information has come to light such as the model’s independent front suspension, regenerative braking, driver assist aids and a tub liner.

Tembo says all versions of the Tusker will be well-equipped with the D adding keyless entry and a full digital instrument cluster.

The company has been building battery-electric conversion kits for the mining industry for the last five years, providing zero-emission powertrains for conversions to models such as the Toyota HiLux and has recently inked a five-year deal through its parent VivoPower to develop an electric powertrain conversion for the LandCruiser 70 Series.

Tembo says it has a broad focus for its EV products encompassing ruggedised and/or customised applications for fleet owners in the mining, agriculture, energy utilities, defence, police, construction, infrastructure, government, humanitarian, and game safari industries.

The company says it provides safe, high-performance off- and on-road electric utility vehicles that meet exacting standards of safety, reliability, and quality.

“The Tembo Tusker represents the best value electric ute in Australia, with a starting price from $74,000,” said VivoPower* chief commercial officer Chris Mallios.

“We’ve achieved this through our years of experience building electric four-wheel drive vehicles for demanding users, and our capital light production strategy that partners with global best of breed manufacturers and suppliers.

“We are confident that the Tusker’s performance and affordability will lead the charge in electrifying the $16bn per annum Australian ute market.”

*VivoPower is the NASDAQ-listed parent company of Tembo.