Australian company to power electric Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser utes

An Aussie tech company is leading the way to help create EV utes for one of the world’s leading car companies. See how it will work.

SEA Electric and Mevco converted electric Toyota HiLux ute.

Australian company SEA Electric is turning some of the country’s favourite utes into fully electric workhorses.

The Melbourne-based tech company has developed an electric power plant that can be fitted to regular commercial vehicles.

It is partnering with global systems integrator Mevco, which will convert 8500 Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser utes from diesel power to fully electric propulsion. The deal is valued at close to $1 billion.

SEA Electric’s power system will be used in the Mevco converted electric Toyota HiLux ute.

The vehicles will be made available to mining companies. The vehicles are ideal for underground work as they produce no fumes, noise, heat or vibrations.

Mevco boss, Matt Cahir, said targeting the mining industry would allow commercial electric cars to be built on scale.

“This is a pivotal partnership for the mining industry,” said Mr Cahir.

“It enables the world’s leading EV technology for heavy and light commercial trucks to be commercialised on a scale that makes sense for the bespoke needs of the mining sector,” he said.

SEA Electric Australian-developed power system has been used throughout the world.

The vehicles will use SEA Electric’s Australian developed power system that has been tested in eight countries around the world and has more than 2.5 million kilometres of real world use to date.

The electric HiLux would be available in two different battery sizes and in either two- or four-wheel drive.

One comes with a 60kWh battery that has a driving range of up to 260km when unladen. A larger 88kWh battery can boost its driving range to 380km.

Both are powered by an electric motor that delivers 134kW and 700Nm. A regular diesel-powered HiLux pumps out 150kW and 500Nm.

There will be short and long range versions available.

It can be recharged from zero to 80 per cent in less than an hour when connected to a fast DC charger. Electric vehicles slow the last 20 per cent of charge to stop the battery overheating and becoming damaged.

The conversions are also capable of delivering power back to the grid, which allows the vehicles to act as mobile batteries during power outages.

Tony Fairweather, the founder of SEA Electric, said the partnership with Mevco to focus on the mining industry was the next logical step for the company.

Mevco will integrate the electric tech into the vehicles.

“Through MEVCO, the mining industry will now be able to access cutting-edge technology, which delivers top performance and total cost of ownership prospects, all with sustainability at the forefront,” said Mr Fairweather.

“This deal is a significant step forward in Australia and shows just what is possible when it comes to electrifying the world’s fleets.”

SEA Electric said half of this year’s allocation had already been spoken for.

The company hasn’t revealed prices, but said their is an initial upfront premium for electric vehicles.

“Pricing for each individual vehicle is dependent on the final specification ordered, which varies. Although there is an initial upfront price premium for investing in EV technology, items such as electric charging over fuel, plus servicing, mean that EV options present an attractive total cost of ownership proposition,” said Mr Fairweather.

Aussies outside the mining industry have an electric ute to consider now, too.

Chinese brand LDV launched its eT60 late in 2022.

The LDV eT60 electric ute is avilable to the public.

The dual-cab ute has 330km of range and uses a single electric motor that makes 130kW and 310Nm and it can only tow up to 1000kg.

It comes with an eye-watering price tag of $92,990 drive-away.