Single rear drive model on offer; distributor claims unprecedented interest

PRICING for the first wholly electric ute availing to Kiwis has delivered with Clean Car rebate eligibility, with $10 to spare.

In addition to today announcing a drive away tag of $79,990 for the LDV eT60, which is en route in twin cab rear-drive format, distributor Great Lake Motor Distributors says it expects examples to be here from September, a month after right-hand-drive production begins.

Fulfilling the order bank seems likely take care of all this year’s allocation and there is already expectation examples order from now on might not arrive until next year.

NZ will achieving a single specification that improves on that seen on a left-hand-drive evaluation unit that has been touring since March.

It crucially updates to Type 2 charging and also has a bigger media screen and a higher grade instrument cluster than the pilot vehicle.

GLMD says it has taken hundreds of deposits for the vehicle, with customers clearly unperturbed it prices well above the T60 in its market-familiar turbodiesel four-wheel-drive format, regardless that the EV achieves a $8625 Clean Car rebate whereas the diesel cops a $5175 emissions penalty.

“In all my years in the industry, I have never experienced this level of interest when launching a new vehicle,” said general manager Andrew Bayliss.

Asked about how quickly LDV can meet that demand, Bayliss offered today: “September and quarter four production ramps up and we’re hoping to deliver most of the pre-orders in 2022.

“At this stage, the order bank is a little over 500. However, more orders have arrived since today’s media announcement and a VIP customer flier went out.

“While we anticipate being able to deliver all units ordered to date this year, it’s more likely that any orders going forward will roll into 2023 delivery at this point.”

Interest and orders have come from every sector of society, “with private buyers, business owners, tradespeople, government departments and local bodies all eager to reduce their carbon footprint and drive an electric ute.

“Now that we can offer a zero-emission vehicle that can meet the demands of the majority of buyers who have previously been buying diesel and petrol vehicles, we know that we have a winner on our hands.”

The electric’s technical element comprises a 88.5kw/h battery feeding a permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear wheels, slung below the rear deck.

GLMD cites potential for 325km range, which it says is based on the WLTP test regime.

The ute’s electric motor develops 130kW of power and 310Nm of torque. That’s considerably less than the 160kW/480Nm offered by the T60 turbodiesel, as is the maximum braked tow rating - 1500kg versus 3000kg/750kg unbraked.

Traydeck size is identical to the diesel but GLM does not cite a payload capacity. The turbodiesel is a one-tonne ute.

Specification for the electric appears to effectively ape that for the diesel Luxury, the highest priced of four diesel models with a $50,588 sticker.

It includes what GLMD says is a “comprehensive suite of safety equipment”, a 10.25-inch touch screen, 17-inch alloy wheels, superior quality leatherette seating and a 220V mains power outlet. GLMD says this will come in handy for tradespeople who can plug in electric drills and other tools when off-grid.

New Zealand is cited as being among the first right hand drive markets for the model.