Right now, South Africa’s light-commercial vehicle segment contains not a single hybrid powertrain option (although there is a local fully electric bakkie in the form of the Maxus T90 EV, which will cost you a cool R1 100 000).
But that’s due to change in 2024 because Mzansi’s two most popular double-cab bakkies are in line for electrification – and at least two more (Chinese) contenders are waiting in the wings.
South Africa’s best-selling vehicle will be offered in electrified form to kick things off. A mild-hybrid version of the popular Toyota Hilux is scheduled to launch locally at some point in 2024, with production expected to take place at the Japanese firm’s Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal (including for export to Europe).
Though Toyota SA Motors has yet to confirm precisely what it will call its lightly electrified double-cab bakkie, it’s worth noting the model will be known as the “Hilux Hybrid 48V” over on the Old Continent.
Regardless of what badge it ends up wearing here, the electrified Hilux will employ Toyota’s ubiquitous 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, though in this configuration, it gains a hybrid 48V system. In short, the engine drives a compact motor generator using a belt system, which in turn charges the 48V lithium battery (positioned under the rear seats).
When fully charged, the battery can send up to 12kW and 65Nm through the motor generator to the engine (which itself makes 150kW and 500Nm), ostensibly enhancing both acceleration and efficiency.
As such, Toyota claims an improvement in fuel efficiency of “up to 5%”, adding that the system’s regenerative braking feature supports “safer” downhill manoeuvres. In addition, the bakkie’s payload remains 1 000kg, and its braked towing capacity stays 3 500kg.
The Hilux’s chief rival is also set for electrification in 2024. Yes, the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) production is scheduled to commence at the Silverton facility in Gauteng in late 2024, with a local launch – though technically not yet confirmed – likely to occur only in 2025.
While Toyota has gone the mild-hybrid route with its Hilux, the Blue Oval brand has taken a more aggressive approach to electrifying its Ranger double cab, opting for full plug-in hybrid capability. Payload and braked towing capacity figures match those of the Hilux Hybrid 48V. Still, the Ranger PHEV interestingly combines a 2.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (rather than one of the more widely used diesel mills) with an 11.8kWh battery and a 75kW electric motor.
With the ability to charge this battery via a cable (in addition to adding juice through regenerative braking), Ford claims a “targeted” electric-only driving range of “more than 45 km”. Furthermore, a new “Pro Power Onboard” feature will enable owners to power tools and appliances simply by plugging them into dedicated outlets positioned in both the cargo bed and inside the cabin.
So, what about the other contenders we mentioned earlier? Well, Chinese firm JAC Motors SA plans to expand its recently launched T9 flagship double-cab bakkie range (which is currently offered in diesel flavour only) in 2024 by adding not only a turbopetrol option but also a plug-in hybrid derivative and even a fully electric version.
While the T9 BEV 4×4 draws its urge from an 88 kWh lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery pack facilitating a claimed range of more than 400km, the T9 PHEV 4×4 combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with a 26.8 kWh LFP battery pack and an electric motor.
In addition, Haval Motors South Africa has confirmed plans to launch a hybrid version of its GWM P-Series bakkie locally in 2024. However, the company has yet to release any technical information on this powertrain. Still, it’ll be fascinating to see which manufacturer wins the race to launch South Africa’s first hybrid bakkie…
