Toyota has appeared to confirm it will go ahead with the launch an electric pick-up truck in 2026.
The Japanese manufacturer showcased its commitment to delivering a series of brand-new BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) models over the next 12 months at its annual product strategy event in Brussels, Belgium.
Amid the unveiling of three new passenger car models that will hit the road in 2025, Toyota gave a glimpse of three more yet-to-be-revealed electric vehicles, one of which is a pick-up.
Though Toyota bosses declined to officially mention a pick-up as part of the new EV model offensive in quotes taken from the event, the shadowy silhouetted outline for one of the three unconfirmed models is clearly a pick-up.
As such, it remains to be seen whether the addition of an electric pick-up to Toyota’s European range will in turn signal a major update for its current contender, the Toyota Hilux.
Despite a looming overhaul for the motor industry as stricter emissions regulations take effect, the pick-up segment has remained resistant with nearly every UK model sold being equipped with diesel powertrains.
This has been prompted by difficulties integrating complex electric powertrains into existing pick-up packages, many of which can trace their roots back over 15 years when diesel was a more preferable fuel of choice.
As such, Toyota’s commitment to a BEV pick-up might be indicative of an all-new Hilux being on the way next year to coincide with the introduction of an electric variant. Such a move might also see a production version of the hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Hilux – which has been previewed in prototypes – launched too [pictured].
If a Toyota BEV pick-up does launch in 2026, it would be something of an engineering pioneer in the pick-up segment. To date, there is just a single all-electric pick-up on sale in the UK – the Maxus T90 – though it will soon be replaced by the Maxus E-Terron 9.
Beyond that, the next generation KGM Musso is set to be offered in electric trim, while the best-selling Ford Ranger will be available as a plug-in electric/hybrid from April.