Toyota’s 100% electric Hilux pickup may be further away than expected
For those waiting on an all-electric Toyota Hilux pickup, you may have to wait a little longer. Toyota Europe’s light commercial vehicle sales head, Emmanuel Beaune, suggested that a 100% electric Hilux pickup was still just under investigation.
Is Toyota finally launching an electric Hilux pickup?
Although the Toyota Hilux is one of the top-selling pickups globally, a fully electric version may be further out than expected.
Toyota builds the Hilux in six nations, with sales spanning over 180 countries and regions globally.
Toyota unveiled the new Hilux Hybrid 48V, the first “electrified” version of the pickup, earlier this month. However, the small hybrid system is connected to a 2.8L diesel engine. The improvements are minor, with up to 5% better fuel efficiency.
There was also the hydrogen fuel cell electric Hilux prototype, which was revealed in September. With Tesla launching its Cybertruck, many wonder when (or if) Toyota will release a real electric pickup of its own.
Beaune told Top Gear, “It’s really part of our multi pathway approach, to have different powertrains and solutions.” Despite many governments moving toward all-electric vehicles, Toyota has insisted on a hybrid strategy, including gas-powered HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs.
As for an electric Hilux, Beaune said It’s too early to comment,” adding, “There are some investigations.”
Toyota did show off its Hilux Revo BEV concept in Thailand last December, but that was a year ago. The EV pickup was spotted testing in Australia as part of development in October, but Toyota has yet to reveal any new details.
Despite Toyota’s hesitation, Beaune said the company accounts for 30% of the pickup market in Europe. He explained, “We can see that for some workers they will be interested in a BEV,” adding, “That’s the reason why we’re studying with TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) in Japan in order to propose the right solution.”
Electrek’s Take
With only “some investigations” into an electric pickup at this point, Toyota is already falling behind.
Several Chinese EV makers, including BYD and Geely’s Radar, have launched electric trucks. Even Japanese rival Isuzu confirmed it’s launching an all-electric pickup in Thailand. BYD is already stealing market share in Thailand, which Toyota has long dominated.
After entering the market in July 2022, BYD already accounts for over a third of EV sales and around 4% of new vehicle sales. BYD has already topped several Japanese automakers, including Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Suzuki, in total vehicle sales.
By sticking to its hybrid approach, Toyota is setting itself up for failure. BYD can develop a new EV from scratch to finish in 18 months. The automaker is already planning a new EV pickup that’s expected to launch shortly.
If Toyota wants to keep up, it will need to act with urgency. An electric pickup should already be a part of the automaker’s plans, not just under investigation.
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Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.
Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.
SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.
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With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
If you love the look of the $230,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 off-roader, but think the 579 hp, 6,800 lb. electric 4×4 is probably overkill for occasional trips to the golf course and country club, this G-Wagen-inspired golf cart might be just what you’re looking for.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
G-Wagon golf cart gallery
SOURCE | LOTS MORE PHOTOS: Mecum Auctions.
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