Think electric vehicles and Tesla springs to mind.
But in parallel with cars, manufacturers have also been developing electric bikes and trucks.
Hyundai has been at the forefront of this development with trucks like its heavy duty fuel cell-powered Xcient which is being trialled across the world.
Closer to home it has just taken the wraps off a tradie-friendly lightweight truck called the Mighty which is set to join its local electrified line-up in mid-2023.
Mighty will join Kona Electric, Ioniq 5 and the soon-to-arrive Ioniq 6 state-of-the art EVs, with expressions of interest to be coordinated directly through Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA).
Hyundai is also evaluating the Xcient prime mover for potential trial in Australia. That’s a big one.
Mighty electric has a loaded electric range of about 240km and is the ideal zero-emission workhorse for metropolitan and last-mile deliveries.
With a 120kW/320Nm electric motor and 114.5kWh battery system with rapid charging capability, it can be charged from 10 to 100 per cent in under 70 minutes.
Mighty is classed as a Light Duty Heavy Truck with a 3501-8000kg GVM and has a cargo capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, depending on the variant and upper body specification.
From launch it will be available in a single 7300kg GVM variant, in 4×2 configuration with a 3300mm wheelbase.
Bare cab-chassis, tray or pantech versions (regular or refrigerated) will be offered to Australian customers — a tipper is also under consideration.
Mighty electric will help drive an expansion in emissions-free commercial transport by demonstrating its driveability and everyday practicality, while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of transport and logistics operations in Australia.
Heavy vehicles make up just four percent of vehicles on the road, yet they are responsible for 25 percent of all vehicle emissions in Australia.
This means each Mighty electric could have a disproportionately large impact on total emissions reduction.
“We are excited to announce Mighty electric truck for Australia as a key step in driving growth in emissions-free commercial vehicles,” Hyunda’s Ted Lee said.
“Mighty electric will bolster our growing EV line-up and underlines Hyundai’s continuing commitment to developing sustainable mobility solutions.”
Production of Mighty electric for Australia is set to start in the second quarter of this year, with final specifications and pricing to be confirmed closer to launch.
Customers can register their interest in Mighty electric here.
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