TOYOTA Australia has introduced a 12-month trial of a battery electrical HiLux ute prototype that shall be put to work by BHP at its Port Hedland mining operation in Western Australia this month.
In late 2023, Toyota revealed a one-off single-cab HiLux BEV referred to as the Revo Idea that it evaluated domestically alongside key fleet prospects as a method to evaluate its market viability.
BHP appears to be the primary to place its hand up for an extended trial, choosing a dual-cab variant.
In keeping with Toyota, the trial will kick off in late November, with the HiLux set for use alongside the 5000 different mild automobiles on-site at BHP’s Port Hedland operation. BHP has dedicated to offering suggestions to Toyota.
The trial follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the 2 corporations again in 2023, which outlined plans to collaborate on product growth, engineering and security, with an overarching deal with mild automobiles that would additional decarbonise BHP’s native operations.
BHP and Toyota return additional than 2023 relating to electrical car prototypes.
In 2021 a small-scale trial involving electric-converted LandCruiser 70 Sequence was established and was later linked to a collaboration between Toyota Australia and Orange-based specialist GB Auto that had grow to be a part of electrical conversion package producer Tembo’s world provide chain, answerable for designing and supplying wiring harnesses for LandCruisers transformed utilizing Tembo kits.
GB Auto is now in a business distribution partnership with Brisbane-based AusEV for right-hand-drive transformed Ford F-150 Lightnings offered to fleets in Australia and for export.
Toyota Australia president Matthew Callachor stated the HiLux trial is a major milestone within the ute’s historical past, however didn’t point out whether or not a manufacturing mannequin is any nearer to arriving or whether or not the prototype utilized by BHP accommodates Toyota-developed {hardware} or a third-party conversion akin to these produced by Tembo.
“Toyota has lengthy advocated a multi-pathway strategy in the direction of decarbonisation, and after we do one thing, we wish to make sure that we do it proper,” Mr Callachor stated.
“Becoming a member of with BHP to assist additional develop this HiLux BEV prototype is a crucial step in creating low-emission applied sciences within the mild business car house, notably to be used in harsh and demanding mining environments.
“This trial can be an illustration of the dedication proven by each events to the Memorandum of Understanding signed final yr, which leverages the strengths of each corporations to develop new, secure and thrilling applied sciences to handle decarbonisation.
Whereas specs for the all-electric HiLux haven’t been shared, the dual-cab mine-spec instance is prone to share its powertrain with the aforementioned Revo Idea, which achieved a variety of round 200km based on stories.
It isn’t recognized but whether or not the mannequin is supplied with rear- or four-wheel drive, however with most mine-spec utes being 4×4 examples – the latter is a chance.
BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery stated the HiLux takes the assets firm one step nearer to its emissions discount targets, but in addition spoke in regards to the implications the mannequin may have outdoors of its website actions.
“Our ambition to impress our mild car fleet and decrease greenhouse fuel emissions throughout our operations depends upon enabling know-how that may solely be achieved by means of collaborations like this, with main suppliers like Toyota,” Ms Slattery stated.
“With round 5000 mild automobiles at our websites throughout Australia, we stay up for placing the Battery Electrical HiLux by means of its paces and seeing the potential it may well carry, not solely to cut back diesel use in mining however finally for all HiLux drivers too.”
GoAuto has reached out to Toyota Australia for additional particulars, notably across the car’s powertrain, however we’re but to listen to again.
