Electric goes large: low-emission utes, vans get a show

Utes that can be plugged in and vans that run on batteries have gone on show in Australia for the first time, which experts say is proof the market has moved.

Australian drivers love utes, but for years there have been few low-emission options.

Electric and hybrid utility vehicles have gone on show alongside battery-powered vans and trucks in Sydney at the first Australian event dedicated to light commercial vehicles.

Transport experts welcomed the changes but they warned major vehicle manufacturers were still delaying the launch of some electric utes, meaning the transition away from petrol- and diesel-powered offerings could take several years.

The exhibition on Thursday and Friday came after BYD posted record sales for its plug-in hybrid ute during June and July, helping the Chinese firm surpass US electric car giant Tesla.

Shifting driver attitudes and government policies were largely responsible for changing the automotive market, FutureDrive AutoShows chief executive Ray Evans said.

Those changes had encouraged sole traders, and small and large businesses, to seek more-efficient vehicles.

The arrival of electric and hybrid utes and the promise of more would usher further changes, Mr Evans said.

“The EV revolution has certainly changed from when we started three years ago – we couldn’t do this show,” he said.

“There are currently 96 to 100 electric models in market in Australia and there are another 70 coming in 2026, including light commercials.”

The event, held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, showed off converted Ford F-150 Lightning electric utes, as well as BYD’s Shark 6 plug-in hybrid and electric vans from Volkswagen and newcomer Farizon.

Traditional diesel utes such as Kia’s Tasman and the RAM 1500 Hurricane would also go on show, Mr Evans said, but he expected many buyers to inspect low-emission offerings first.

“You’ve got your big players, obviously, with Fords and Toyotas, but there are a lot of challengers coming into the space,” he said.

“More than ever, businesses are looking at what the options are and what’s happening within the new energy space.”

Other companies offering electric and hybrid utes in Australia include Chinese brands LDV and GWM, with models expected from established players Ford and Isuzu within months.

Adding utes to the nation’s electrified fleet would be critical to helping EVs become a mainstream purchase, Australian Electric Vehicle Association president Chris Jones said, as utes had become a mainstay.

“We’ve got pretty much every other mode and every other segment covered, but utes and vans are a bit of a deficiency,” he said.

“If you can convince rural and regional Australia to buy an EV, then you’ve convinced everyone, because they’ll probably be the most sceptical.”

Some vehicle manufacturers were still reticent to make left-hand-drive electric utes for Australia though, Dr Jones warned, such as Rivian with its R1T and Ford with its F-150.

Source: AAP