Toyota HiLux to adopt hybrid, electric power – executive

Development of a Toyota HiLux with the option of electric or hybrid power is being accelerated ahead of showroom arrivals due by the end of the decade.

Toyota has revealed two high-ranking product planners from Australia – who are responsible for shaping the specifications of future vehicles – are in Thailand this week reviewing a range of options for updated and next-generation models.

The head of sales and marketing for Toyota Australia, Sean Hanley, says the Toyota HiLux will have "some form" of electrification by the end of the decade and three options are being considered: electric, hybrid, and hydrogen.

Last year, an electric Toyota HiLux concept car was unveiled in Thailand and a hydrogen-powered example was unveiled in the UK.

However, reports out of Japan have repeatedly claimed the car giant is considering hybrid technology for the HiLux ute, Prado four-wheel-drive and LandCruiser 70 Series workhorse – though it is not clear whether these would adopt petrol-hybrid or diesel-hybrid power.

When asked which of the three options – electric, hybrid or hydrogen – was likely to come to the Toyota HiLux first, Mr Hanley said: "We are looking at all of the above.

"We are considering all of those technologies for HiLux. Obviously hybrid is the easy solution for us, because we’re already doing it on other cars, but we don’t discount other technologies that may be more suitable for that car.

"We have a number of really exciting things happening on HiLux. There are electrification prototypes we’re looking at." 

When asked if a Toyota HiLux Hybrid variant would arrive before the end of this generation within the next few years, or after the next-generation arrives in 2025 or 2026, Mr Hanley said: "We’re always looking at developments.

"So whilst I wouldn’t confirm or deny anything on the current HiLux, I’ll never rule out any potential going forward of further electrification being accelerated.

"We’re always looking at ways to improve HiLux for our customers." 

When asked whether a hybrid option would be added to the Toyota HiLux range as the current generation approaches the end of its lifecycle, or wait until the next model arrives, Mr Hanley said:

"You’ll have to wait and see on that one. What I will say is that electrification is accelerating. But when I say that, Toyota’s perspective hasn't changed.

"Our position is clear: carbon-dioxide emissions are the enemy here. We are playing a role in reducing CO2 emissions in the Australian market now. And 72,000 Toyota hybrid vehicles (sold last year) indicates customers see that as well.

"Australian new-car buyers are gravitating towards hybrid, and it's also true that electric vehicle sales are accelerating in the market. 

"What we’re saying is the market will determine (what cars people buy) and the market must have choice."

When pressed on the most likely form of electrified propulsion for the Toyota HiLux, Mr Hanley said: "Anything you write on HiLux is purely speculative because we’re not confirming anything – except to say that some form of electrification is likely on that car over the next seven years."

"We will always continue to evaluate all the new models for Australia as they become available, particularly when it comes to electrification."

The Toyota HiLux ute has been Australia's top-selling vehicle outright for the past seven years and was also the top-selling four-wheel-drive in 2022.

For now there are no hybrid double-cab utes on sale in Australia, however the Ford Ranger is expected to add the option of a plug-in hybrid petrol variant within the next two years (spotted testing in Europe, above, wearing camouflage).

Mitsubishi has also foreshadowed a plug-in hybrid variant of the next-generation Triton ute, due to be introduced from 2024.

The new Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up (pictured below) is already available with petrol-electric hybrid power in the US and that model is capable of towing in excess of 4.5 tonnes with a heavy-duty hitch.

For now it is unclear whether hybrid technology will be introduced on the current-generation Toyota HiLux – or with the arrival of the all-new model due in 2025 or 2026. And whether it would be paired to four-cylinder or V6 power – and with a diesel or a petrol engine.

Toyota Australia has, for now, refused to rule out the possibility of hybrid technology being added to the current-generation Toyota HiLux, which recently got the option of a wider track for the top-line Rogue and GR Sport (pictured below), despite the current platform nearing the end of its 10-year model-cycle.

The Toyota executive repeated earlier claims the Japanese car giant will have a range of low-emissions or zero-emissions vehicles by 2030 across all models except GR high-performance vehicles, but also underlined the importance of introducing technology that suits the diverse needs of Australian motorists.

"In Australia, right now, plenty of people are towing caravans, plenty of people are using cars for leisure and in industry," said Mr Hanley.

"Electric vehicles will suit some customers, hybrid vehicles will suit some customers, and fuel-cell vehicles will suit some customers. We’re going to give them the choice. Our position has not altered."

When asked when a solely electric version of the Toyota HiLux might be available to buy – following the unveiling of a concept vehicle in Thailand late last year and a number of third-party providers setting up their own conversions – Mr Hanley indicated Toyota would prioritise a hybrid alternative because it is more affordable.

Toyota hybrid cars today typically have a $2500 price premium over the equivalent petrol model, but real-world testing shows hybrid vehicles use half as much fuel as an equivalent petrol model.

Toyota says halving the fuel bills and emissions of the 315,000 hybrid cars sold locally over the past 20 years has delivered the same emissions reduction as putting 95,000 electric cars on Australian roads. Last year 33,410 electric vehicles were reported as sold.

Although the Toyota executive did not mention Australia's first electric ute by name – the LDV eT60 from China, priced from $92,990 plus on-road costs (pictured above) – which went on sale late last year, Mr Hanley said: "There's an electric ute in the market in Australia right now. What price is it?

"Are you better off having 72,000 hybrids on the road that are affordable, practical and deliver on what customers want? Or a handful of (electric vehicles) right now ... that don't have the scale right now to meet customer requirements (in terms of driving range and price).

"Car companies don't decide what cars people buy, the customer decides."