While the pick-up truck market has been slow to adopt pure-electric powertrains, there will be a sudden influx from manufacturers in the coming years from the likes of Ford, Volkswagen and potentially Tesla, but beating them all to the punch in the UK is the Maxus T90EV from China.
The T90EV is now available to order from £49,950 excluding VAT and first deliveries of the should commence in the first quarter of 2023. Chinese company, SAIC Motor, owns Maxus and the firm has been steadily building a reputation in the UK with its van models.
Its new pickup truck will look somewhat familiar to Maxus owners here, with a huge grille incorporating horizontal slats. There’s also plenty of rugged detailing to emphasise its commercial roots.
For the electric version the T90EV removes all of the standard truck’s running gear and replaces it with an 88.5kWh battery that’s located under the chassis. Power comes from a rear-mounted 201bhp electric motor, meaning the T90EV is rear-wheel drive. The low-slung battery under the chassis means ground clearance will be limited, so off-road driving – and wading especially – might be a challenge.
Charging time for the T90EV is 45 mins if you want to go from 20 to 80 per cent using its maximum 80kW charge speed. Maxus says the maximum range is 220 miles.
The double cab model is a fairly standard pick-up truck shape, measuring 5,365mm x 1,900mm x 1,809mm, while the cargo bed measures 1,485mm x 1,510mm x 530mm. Maxus has quoted a payload of 1000kg.
Standard kit includes a 10.25-inch digital touchscreen, reversing camera, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a bed-mounted roll bar. Optional extras include all-terrain tyres, a roller top or mountain top and front bumper winch for off-roading.
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