LDV reveals price of NZ’s first electric ute

The LDV eT60 has an electric range of 325km and towing capacity of 1500kg. Photo: LDV

LDV has just announced the pricing for New Zealand’s first electric ute, the eT60, which sees it gain the Government clean car rebate.

The electric ute joins the Chinese brand’s electric vans, the eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9, with the right-hand-drive going into production in August and New Zealand will be among the very first global markets to receive it. 

A single model will be available to the New Zealand buyer, with an 88.5kw/h battery and a 130kW/310Nm permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear wheels, offering a respectable 325km range, based on the stringent WLTP test regime and the maximum braked tow rating is 1500kg.

Specification includes a comprehensive suite of safety equipment, a 10.25-inch touch screen, 17-inch alloy wheels, superior quality leatherette seating, and a useful 220V mains power outlet which will come in handy for tradespeople who can plug in electric drills and other tools when off-grid. 

Drive-away pricing of $79,990 includes GST and all on-road costs and qualifies for the rebate of $8625.

A left-hand-drive eT60 was revealed at a media event and attracted unprecedented interest and LDV’s New Zealand distributor, Great Lake Motor Distributors, has taken hundreds of deposits from customers keen to be among the first to get their hands on New Zealand’s first electric ute.

“Within minutes of journalists filing their copy at the media event in March and the online ordering system going live on our website, orders started rolling in,” said LDV New Zealand General Manager, Andrew Bayliss. 

“In all my years in the industry, I have never experienced this level of interest when launching a new vehicle,” he added.

“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 with the eT60.”

Utes account for one in four vehicles sold in New Zealand.