The New Zealand market is one step closer to the prospect of fully electric utes, with the unveiling of the first LDV T60 EV.
The left-hand drive pilot vehicle was unveiled to the New Zealand media, with LDV’s local arm adding numerous details about the model’s right-hand drive production, its specs, and local availability.
The model comes with a single electric motor powering the rear wheels exclusively.
Power and torque are rated at 130kW and 310Nm, and the motor is paired to an 88.5kWh thermally-managed battery.
Though range figures haven’t been given, an LDV spokesperson noted that the plug-in T60 could complete a trip from Auckland to Taupō (approximately 270km) at highway speeds with 70km of range spare.
Range is therefore likely to be around the 400km mark.
The model is DC fast charging capable, although specifics on exactly how quickly it can be recharged are still to be confirmed.
For people considering one as a work or tow vehicle, LDV says the plug-in can tow 1000kg braked, and lug 900kg of payload.
That tow-rating is controversial. LDV staff told us the ute can tow a lot more without overheating the battery or motor, the load instead kept light for range-claim reasons.
Currently, the model is set to only be offered in rear-wheel drive, single-motor form.
Although LDV is likely to be investigating adding a four-wheel drive version, it’s unknown when that may happen.
Production of right-hand drive T60 EVs for New Zealand is set to start in September, meaning a local arrival of early 2023 is likely.
LDV couldn’t confirm an exact arrival date, with the model’s spec also up in the air.
Pricing for the model is also still to be confirmed, though LDV says it hopes to price the model underneath the $80,000 threshold for the Government’s Clean Car Discount.
Currently, the discount entitles all new BEVs priced underneath the threshold to an $8625 rebate after purchase.
Speaking at the event, Great Lake Motor Distributors general manager Andrew Bayliss said he’s confident the T60 EV will be popular.
“I think demand is going to be huge based on the demand we’re getting on our website and at our dealerships.”
LDV New Zealand is taking online pre-orders for the T60 EV. Customers can pay a $1000 deposit to join the nameplate’s order list.
The model helps further expand LDV’s line-up of electrified commercial vehicles. The group debuted its eDeliver3 van locally in 2020, with the larger eDeliver9 landing in late 2021.
So far, the T60 EV is the only electric pickup to be confirmed formally for the New Zealand market.
That’s in spite of the market space enjoying significant expansion in the last two years, with the launch of the Rivian R1T, Hummer EV, Tesla Cybertruck, and Ford F-150 Lightning overseas.
The T60 is one of the very few plug-in products in the mid-size ute segment.
It’s expected that Ford will debut a Ranger plug-in hybrid later this year, and it’s understood that Toyota and Mitsubishi are also developing plug-in hybrid utes.
A (VERY) QUICK DRIVE
EVs and Beyond got the chance to take the T60 for a very quick drive during the launch event in Taupo.
And when I say quick, I mean short – about 8km on the ring road that bypasses the home of LDV distributor Great Lake Motor Distributors.
The T60 is fairly cookie-cutter in a sense that it’s pretty much the same in dimensions and design as any other ute on the market.
Though fit is fine, the finishes do slightly echo the fact that the T60 is at the value end of the market. So, it uses hard plastics and leather that feels more durable than supple.
The transmission shifter is shared with LDV’s vans – a simple dial that provides for drive, reverse and neutral. There’s no park option.
There is no selectable regen, but a power/ eco button allows some control over throttle responsiveness.
How responsive is it? Well, not so much.
There’s a nice solid torque push off the line, but it’s still best described as relaxed.
The highway limit is reached in reasonable time but don’t expect Tesla (or even MG ZS EV) levels of zippiness; it’s simply not that kind of vehicle.
The steering feels light and low on feel – the norm for a ute.
We’re going to need to explore the ute more to work out how it rides. On our short trip it felt very jiggly, picking up pretty much every bump in the road.
That’s not unusual for utes, and a load usually settles them down. Arguably the battery weight should do that, but the suspension has probably been tuned to factor that in already.
The motor position – attached behind the differential – adds to unsprung weight. This means that the weight of the motor is being sent up and down by road undulations, making it harder for the springs to absorb bumps.
We won’t know if this is what is causing the ride issues until we slap a few bags of cement in the back ourselves!
Still, overall the T60 drives fine. For a tradie around town it’s going to do the job well and be comfortable enough for the weekend.
And if the ute doesn’t fit, LDV, has finally officially launched their eDeliver3 and eDeliver9 vans, both covered already in EVs and Beyond.
