Whereas EV fans in Australia and New Zealand is perhaps holding out for a Rivian or a Ford F-150 Lightning, they might should make do with the Chinese language LDV T60 EV (eT60) as an alternative. The car is on the market for order in New Zealand now and ought to be launched late this 12 months or early subsequent 12 months in Australia, being distributed by Ateco Group. It should tow your boat and it gained’t smash your weekend.
It’s an electrified model of the LDV T60 Ute that we’re already seeing on Australian and New Zealand roads.
“Whereas pricing is but to be revealed, LDV has opened up orders on-line, and can take a $1,000 deposit to safe an electrical Ute. On that very same matter, it was confirmed that not less than one mannequin of the EV T60 shall be eligible for the $8,625 clear automotive rebate in New Zealand.”
“LDV Group Limited, previously Leyland DAF Vans, was a British van producer based mostly in Washwood Heath, Birmingham. Traditionally a part of Rover Group and Leyland DAF, it was later an entirely owned subsidiary of the Russian GAZ Group. Owing to the worldwide recession and an absence of long-term funding, manufacturing was suspended on the LDV manufacturing facility in December 2008.”
The mental property rights had been bought to SAIC Motor in 2010, with its Maxus subsidiary commencing manufacturing in China in March 2011. SAIC additionally owns the MG model. LDV has been successful story in Australia, going from 214 gross sales in 2014 to over 15,000 final 12 months. It’s nicely positioned to carry electrical utes to Australia and New Zealand.
The eT60 boasts a variety of 325 km from a 88.5 kWh battery. A house charging cable is provided. Present fashions shall be accessible in 2WD, with a single electrical motor mounted on the rear axle producing 130 kW and 310 Nm of torque. Payload capability is 980 kg, and it may well tow as much as 1 tonne. Nevertheless this may scale back the vary by ~50%.
In New Zealand, the LDV eT60 is listed at NZD$79,990 drive-away, which equates to about $72,000 in Australian foreign money based mostly on at present’s change charges — or about 45 per cent greater than a top-of-the-range T60 twin-turbo diesel. It’s the identical worth as a Toyota Land Cruiser.
“We’re endeavoring to have the LDV eT60 in Australia late this 12 months or early subsequent 12 months, as soon as right-hand-drive manufacturing commences. Whereas Australian timing and pricing are but to be confirmed, we’re very excited concerning the future rollout of electrical LDV autos,” says Dinesh Chinappa, Common Supervisor LDV Australia.
The LDV eT60 has half the vary and towing capability of its diesel variant. It solely is available in 2WD and it prices 45% extra. Why would you purchase one? Maybe as a result of diesel is over $2 a litre in Australia and nearly $three a litre in NZ. It gained’t take too many kilometers to make up the distinction.
Shhh, don’t tell Sussan Ley that there are electrical utes for Australia and New Zealand.
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