Hilux BEV Toyota's First Electric Pickup

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Quiet instead of loud, torque instead of speed: the new Toyota Hilux will arrive in 2026, fully electric and locally emission-free. The diesel community will have to wait a few months longer.

After cars, vans and trucks, the era of electromobility is now also starting for large-series pickups. Although the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning are already the first steps towards all-electric driving, the global pick-up market leader Toyota will introduce an all-electric drive in 2026. It is the ninth generation of a legend and also the start of a new chapter. For the first time, the Hilux will drive purely electrically.

Project manager Kensuke Hayashi speaks of a decisive step into a new era, but one that is typically pragmatic for Toyota. The BEV will be launched in February, while the 48-volt mild hybrid diesel with a displacement of 171 cubic inches introduced in 2025 will not be transferred to the new model until summer 2026. A fuel cell version is set to follow in 2028. Instead of putting all its eggs in one basket, Toyota wants to offer the right option for every market, even a Hilux with a petrol engine for a few selected countries such as Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan.

Toyota Relies on A Small Battery

The electric Hilux is the variant for users who want to travel locally emission-free. The guiding principle behind the development was right sizing. Instead of a huge battery, which would drive up the weight, price and payload, a 59 kWh-hours lithium-ion battery is located in the floor of the ladder frame. It powers two 144 kW electric motors on the front and rear axles. They send 205 and 268 Newton meters of torque respectively to the axles, thus enabling permanent all-wheel drive with spontaneous, finely controllable thrust. The preliminary data indicates a WLTP range of around 149 miles, which is sufficient for most craft businesses, energy suppliers or municipalities whose vehicles rarely travel further from the depot. Charging is via 11 alternating currents or around 130 kW direct current.

The key data reveal the differences to the current diesel: the Stromer has to limit itself to a payload of 1,576 pounds and a towing capacity of around 3,527 pounds due to the 882 pounds battery, while the diesel can carry a tonne and tow up to 3.9 short tons. The chassis with double wishbones at the front and rigid axle at the rear show that the Stromer is not a show car, but a working vehicle. The tried-and-tested ladder-type frame remains, and the battery is integrated into the vehicle floor to protect it from impact and water. The fording depth corresponds to that of the current diesel model and ensures suitability for use even when driving through rivers or on softened tracks.

No Gear Reduction, No Locks

The electric drive shows its strengths on a first off-road trip. The Hilux BEV climbs quietly and in a controlled manner over scree, roots or wet meadows without shifting gears or clutching, with sensitively adjustable power and immediately available torque. The multi-terrain select system adapts the braking and torque control to sand, mud or rock, while the new electric power steering makes maneuvering easier and reduces kickback at the steering wheel. The hill start assist can also be operated intuitively.

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Unlike many off-road vehicles, the driver in the Toyota uses the brake and gas pedal pedals to control the speed at which the pickup climbs down steep passages. You don't have to activate any locks or gear reduction, just accelerate sensitively and let the electronics do the rest. The easy handling of the Hilux off-road is one of the biggest advantages for commercial users in particular, as they will no longer need to undergo time-consuming driver training. On the road, the electric Hilux also drives much more dynamically than the diesel and responds more spontaneously to the accelerator.

Only Minimal Visual Differences

Visually, the ninth Hilux differs only minimally from the current generation. Instead of the classic radiator grille, a horizontal strip with Toyota lettering runs between narrow LED headlights. New side and rear steps facilitate access to the cab and platform. The interior with horizontal dashboard, digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch display and equally large, central touchscreen is based on the new Land Cruiser.

The connectivity is clearly designed for fleets. Via the My Toyota app, users and fleet managers can call up the charge status, location and driving data of up to ten vehicles and plan maintenance cycles. The extended T-Mate system offers a proactive driving assistant, emergency stop function, blind spot and exit warning as well as driver monitoring, thereby adapting the Hilux to the requirements of many markets.

Toyota has sold 27 million Hilux since its launch in 1968. It is on the road in more than 180 countries, used by energy companies, construction crews and aid organizations, among others. Whether everyone switches to electric drive in the future depends not only on the charging options but also on the price. However, Toyota will not announce this until the end of the year.

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