2023 LDV EV T60 could be Australia’s first battery-powered ute

The 2023 LDV EV T60 may end up being the first fully-electric mass-produced ute to go on sale in Australia.

LDV launched the EV T60 in New Zealand last week, beating out the upcoming battery-powered GWM Ute, as well as the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, and Ford F-150 Lightning.

The EV T60 ute uses a single electric motor to send 130kW and 310Nm to the rear axle, with the 88.5kWh battery delivering a claimed 325 kilometres of driving range from a single charge.

Only available in rear-wheel-drive at this stage, the dual-cab EV T60 has a payload capacity of 980 kilograms.

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Above and top: The diesel-powered LDV T60 Max.

While Australian officials for LDV were tight-lipped on local plans for the EV T60, it’s believed the company is in the process of planning its future electric portfolio.

Sold under the Maxus brand overseas, the Chinese carmaker also offers the all-electric eDeliver 9 commercial van in right-hand-drive markets such as the UK and New Zealand. Buyers over the ditch can option the eDeliver 9 with a choice of three battery packs, and three different bodies – including a cab-chassis option.

The electric LDV van offers slightly more power thanks to its 150kW/310Nm electric motor, with a driving range of 353km claimed from the largest 88.5kWh battery.

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Above: The LDV Delivery 9, currently offered with a diesel engine in Australia.

Pricing for the EV T60 ute has yet to be announced for New Zealand, but the eDeliver 9 is priced from NZ$75,990 to NZ$82,990 (AU$70,790-$77,312) before generous government subsidies.

A smaller eDeliver 3 commercial van is also available from LDV NZ, priced from NZ$57,489 (AU$53,550).

Documents published by a Chinese Government department last year show the LDV’s direct competitor, the electric GWM Ute, will use a 150kW electric motor and either a 60.5kWh or 79.6kWh battery, with a driving range of as much as 450km claimed.

Rivian has also publicly expressed its desire to offer the R1T electric ute in Australia, though it’s unclear whether a right-hand-drive model will be built at its US plant, or whether Aussie buyers will be forced to wait for a rumoured UK factory to be built before vehicles start arriving on our shores.

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Above: Rivian's electric R1T has Australia in its sights.

Local company Ace is currently offering reservations for its Yewt model for $299, with pricing for the fully-electric ute starting from $25,995 before on-road costs.

The Australian-made vehicle is said to offer a driving range of up to 200km, with around 300 vehicles expected to be built in 2022 – making the Ace a low-volume manufacturer.

Electric passenger cars from the likes of Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia are in increasing demand with Australian buyers, but a lack of Federal Government incentives has Australia being overlooked for more attractive markets such as New Zealand.

While the 2023 LDV EV T60 has yet to be confirmed for Australia, the model is currently the front-runner to be the first electric ute to hit local showrooms.