Compact Toyota electric pickup project revealed: Is it US-bound?

Toyota is planning to test a fleet of all-electric pickups—not in pickup-obsessed America, or its home Japan, but in Thailand, where versions of the Toyota HiLux pickup are built for many regions of the world.�

Development of the electric HiLux was done in Thailand, but taps into decades of Toyota EV tech.

Called the HiLux Revo BEV Concept, but far from a concept vehicle, this electric HiLiux conversion has its motor at the rear wheels, with a DeDion rear axle and leaf springs—a layout that allows some better ride and handling than a live axle alone. The battery pack is tucked between the frame rails.�

Toyota HiLux Revo BEV Concept vehicle

Output numbers and specifications for the battery pack or propulsion system haven’t been released. The truck reportedly has a range of just 124 to143 miles (200-230 km)—which might prove just fine for its intended city and suburban fleet use.�

In a press release, Sean Hanley, a top Toyota Australia executive, called it a “city-focused HiLux BEV,” and while it’s officially a concept vehicle, he said it “looks, feels, and drives like a production model.”

Toyota HiLux Revo BEV Concept vehicle

In the past several days, a few select Australian outlets were allowed to drive the electric truck and found it to be plenty perky—even though 0-60 mph acceleration is somewhere in the 10-second range—as well as quiet in a way other versions of this compact truck family likely aren’t. It’s no Ludicrous-mode rocket, but it’s a modest, intriguing, tailpipe-emissions-free way to add accessories or upfits and get work done.

However, this truck is almost certainly not U.S.-bound. The HiLux used to be related to the U.S. Tacoma, but the two trucks no longer have any key dimensions in common and ride on different platforms. A 2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid is on the way as part of a new 2024 Tacoma lineup to be built soon in Mexico, with the hybrid getting i-Force Max badging and configured to be the workhorse of the lineup with strong capability for towing and hauling.�

Toyota HiLux Revo BEV Concept vehicle

Inside, the HiLux BEV looks quite basic, but subs in a rotary shift selector like that in the BZ4X, along with an electric parking brake and an EV-focused gauge cluster.

According to Carsales, an Australian site that provided a good summation of this basic electric truck, the HiLux BEV was brought to Australia as part of a dealer conference. The HiLux is the bestselling vehicle in Australia, according to Toyota.

Toyota HiLux Revo BEV Concept vehicle

While this might not be Toyota’s U.S.-bound electric pickup, there will be one. In 2021, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. clearly laid out: “Toyota intends to bring electrification to its pickup truck lineup in the near future, including hybrid and BEV powertrains.”�

In the U.S., Toyota maintained, up until 2019 or later, that its dealerships were simply not asking for EVs. And more recently, it’s said that U.S.-bound Toyota EVs will aim for affordability above other priorities.�

That said, it may be missing something in not bringing an electric pickup to the U.S. soon, whether it takes the form of this basic HiLux EV or a more capable Tacoma EV. A November 2022 Autolist study found that the Tacoma EV—a truck that doesn’t exist—was named the top electric pickup among Millennials in a cohort that included the Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning and several others.�

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