Toyota Australia has announced a 12-month trial of the battery-electric HiLux, the prototype of which will be put into service by BHP at its Port Hedland mining operation in Western Australia this month.
In late 2023, Toyota revealed a single-cab HiLux BEV named the Revo Concept, which was evaluated locally with major fleet customers as a means of assessing market feasibility. Looks like, BHP is the first company to go ahead with long-term testing, opting for the dual-cab variant.
According to Toyota, testing will begin in late November, with the HiLux set being used alongside 5,000 other light vehicles at BHP’s Port Hedland operation. BHP is committed to providing feedback to Toyota.
The test follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two companies in 2023, outlining plans to collaborate on product development, engineering and safety with a broad focus on light vehicles, which BHP Can further decarbonize local operations.
Toyota Australia president Matthew Calachor says the test is an important milestone in the HiLux’s history, but he did not indicate whether a production model is imminent.
“Toyota has long advocated a multi-track approach toward decarbonization, and when we do something, we want to make sure we do it right,” Mr. Calachor said.
“Joining with BHP to help further develop this HiLux BEV prototype is an important step in creating low-emission technologies in the light commercial vehicle sector, particularly for use in harsh and demanding mining environments.
“This trial is also a demonstration of the commitment shown by both parties to the MoU signed last year, which leverages the strengths of both companies to develop new, safe and exciting technologies to address decarbonization.
While specifications for the all-electric HiLux have not been shared, the dual-cab Mine-spec example is likely to share its powertrain with the aforementioned Revo concept, which has achieved a range of around 200 km as per reports.
considering The hydrogen fuel cell HiLux is currently being tested in the UK Sharing most of its powertrain with the Mirai, which produces a modest 134kW/300Nm, it’s possible that the battery-electric example uses the same electric drive system.
It is not yet known whether the model is equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive, but most mine-spec examples are 4×4 – the latter being a possibility.
BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery says the HiLux resource takes the company one step closer to its emissions reduction targets, but she also points out the impacts the model could have outside of its site activities.
Ms Slattery said, “Our ambition to electrify our light vehicle fleet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations depends on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations such as this with leading suppliers like Toyota. Could.”
“With almost 5,000 light vehicles on our sites across Australia, we look forward to putting the battery electric HiLux through its paces and seeing its potential, not only to reduce diesel use in mining but ultimately to power all HiLux “Same for the drivers.”
GoAuto has contacted Toyota Australia for more information specifically about the vehicle’s powertrain, but we have not yet heard back.