Toyota New Zealand confirmed to NZ4WD magazine late last month that it has no plans to bring in an electric Hilux any time soon. 

“I’d like to reiterate that we do not have any plans for a battery electric Hilux in our line-up in the next 18 – 24 months,” says Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Officer. 

“It is irresponsible to suggest that customers stop buying non-electric vehicles immediately until there is an electric option available. The range and volumes of EVs needed to meet demand is simply not available, and many customers still need a vehicle to transport their family or operate their business.” 

There have been 5,296 EV sales over the last five years, and of these 45 percent fall into the luxury market. In comparison, there have been 23,257 hybrid sales over the same period.

“Our extensive hybrid range has allowed us to contribute to 43 percent of the overall reduction of CO2 emissions over the past five years in New Zealand,” says Mr Lala. “Hybrid technology is more readily available and is significantly more affordable for everyday Kiwis. Battery electric technology is coming but is not quite there yet.”

“As a brand we are focused on achieving affordability of low emission technology for everyday Kiwis, not just the top two percent.” 

Global constraints around battery production, the semi-conductor crisis, and technology adoption could mean that the rate of EVs arriving into New Zealand’s market will be under considerable pressure. 

Toyota also has concerns about the decoupling of safety and technology in the feebate scheme, with vehicles only needing to have a three-star rating to get the rebate.

For more than the past two decades the Ministry of Transport has pushed Road Safety through its ‘Safer Journey’ strategy. 

“So why are we now saying that three-star vehicles are acceptable forms of mobility?” says Mr Lala. “Toyota wants to see a stricter stance from the government on the importance of safety alongside the technology.” 

Mr Lala says Toyota are looking at their options of how to support customers who want to transition to low emission vehicles that do not qualify for the rebate till 1st January 2022. 

At the end of 2021, Toyota will have its first fully electric model in the Lexus UX300e available, and this will be followed by the Battery Electric Toyota BZ4X SUV in 2022. 

A Hilux will not be available, however, with a fully battery electric (BEV) powertrain in the next two years.