2024 GWM Ute Cannon: Electric and hybrid powertrains coming

GWM executives discussed the electric and hybrid future of the brand's ute range at the Australian release of the Tank 300 Hybrid off-roader.

“If we were able to have a hybrid powertrain available in a ute in six months time, one years time, 18 months time, that's something we’d welcome”, said head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver.

“But again, as always, we're going into the business case and value positioning phase”, he added.

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The GWM Tank 300 Hybrid will be sold with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain in Australia, and sits on the same ‘P71’ ladder-on-frame architecture as the currently diesel-powered GWM Ute Cannon range.

GWM has previously spoken of a fully-electric version of its Ute – which, if it came to Australia, would be a rival for the $92,990 (before on-road costs) LDV eT60.

The larger GWM Shanhai Cannon (no, not Shanghai) is expected to reach Australian shores later this year or in early 2024, potentially with the hybrid powertrain mentioned above.

Currently, the Shanhai Cannon is only available in its home market with a mild-hybrid 260kW/500Nm petrol V6 or 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder developing 135kW/480Nm – the latter more likely for Oz.

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The larger Shanhai Cannon is tipped to debut with hybrid power

When to expect electrified GWM utes?

It's safe to say, an electric Ute from GWM probably won’t be here in 2023.

But there's fast development happening in the space. A prototype electric Cannon revealed at the 2020 Beijing auto show promised a driving range between 400-500km.

GWM's all-electric Ora small car is able to achieve a 420km driving range (WLTP) from a relatively small 59kWh battery pack, so a sizable 90kWh battery should see an electric ute able to hit 450km+ driving range, unladen of course.

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The LDV eT60 is Australia's only electric ute

Towing and load-lugging ability are crucial considerations for commercial vehicles, though. The Ford F-150 Lightning is able to tow 3500kg, but independent tests have shown its range to suffer significantly when loaded.

Payload also compromises range. With its maximum 1000kg on board, LDV’s eT60 (Australia’s only electric ute right now) its range claim of 330km (WLTP) is chopped in half, according to the carmaker.

“Development continues”, said Maciver of an electric GWM ute, “we don't yet have any further information in terms of when it will come to market, but what I would say is that the whole message today is [GWM] realises how important EV and hybrid technologies are for us moving forward, across every segment.

“If we can get that [EV ute] here, we're absolutely up for it. We're still continuing to work on that. It’s certainly on our radar”, said Maciver.