For decades, the Toyota Hilux has been the worldly cousin of the Toyota Tacoma. It has a lot in common with the Tacoma, but it doesn’t meet America’s higher emissions standards. But the Toyota Hilux EV could be a game changer or provide clues about the Toyota Tacoma EV.
Will the Toyota Hilux EV pave the way for the Toyota Tacoma EV?
Feast your eyes on the new Toyota Hilux EV concept. This is a significant change for one of the most popular trucks in the world. It’s also a bit surprising since there were rumors of a hydrogen-powered Hilux floating around.
The Hilux has been the inspiration for the Tacoma for years, does this mean an electric Toyota Tacoma is on the way? Rumors have recently suggested that a Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is on the way, but apparently, many different models could be on the way.
While unveiling the electric Toyota Hilux, Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, shared that battery electric vehicles are not the only way to meet the world’s carbon neutrality goals.
What do we know about the Hilux EV?
The Toyota Hilux EV is currently a concept model known as the Toyota Hilux Revo BEV Concept. So it may change a bit before it goes into production in about a year. An interesting feature includes the simple cab configuration.
It could mean that the closely related Toyota Tacoma could receive a single cab option. This has been something truckers have wanted for a while.
In addition, it has a traditional look. The electric Toyota Hilux is clearly based on the gasoline model. However, it has a loading port near the front fender and a closed grille.
The electric Hilux is expected to be truly affordable and innovative. We’d love to have an affordable electric option to battle the Ford Maverick here. The small single-cab model makes us wonder if a new compact option is on the way.
There are two concepts. One is electric and the other is hydrogen. Both options are designed to meet the needs of various customers. One model is to support economic growth and mobility for all, while the other supports carbon neutrality and a better environment for all.
So will the electric Hilux or the hydrogen Hilux be the affordable pickup? Also, is the Hilux going hybrid? Currently, there are many ideas floating around about the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid that borrows the same setup as the Lexus RX.
When will Toyota trucks go electric?
The Toyota Hilux EV and electric Toyota Tacoma could be months away. We don’t even have any clues on how much power or range the electric Hilux has yet. It could be over a year before it goes into production.
If the Tacoma is based on the Hilux, it could be up to two years before it arrives. Also, we continue to think that a new, smaller electric pickup may be a possibility. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is more likely to get the party started in the United States.
Toyota believes that the infrastructure for electric vehicles needs to be improved before they become mainstream. But what about the infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles?
We know that the Hilux EV is on the way and could set the stage for an electric Tacoma. Stay tuned for the latest developments as we follow this story.