China’s electric ute industry is set to gain another key player, with JAC reportedly gearing up to launch its battery-powered dual-cab in a handful of months.
As reported by Chinese publication Autohome, a revised electric version of the JAC Hunter – set to be badged in Australia as the JAC T9 – is due to be unveiled at the Beijing motor show in April.
While the electric JAC T9 was revealed at the 2023 Guangzhou motor show (below), the upcoming unveiling will show off the ute in its production-ready form, giving us the best look yet at what is planned to come to Australia.
Electric JAC T9 ute (image via Autohome)
JAC has previously said it plans to introduce the electric T9 ute in Australia, declaring in July 2023 it planned to launch it in June 2024 and confirming a hybrid offering would follow at an undisclosed time.
However, a spokesperson for the brand has subsequently told CarExpert it doesn’t have timing locked in for the electric T9’s local launch, while the turbo-diesel T9 is now due in the second quarter of 2024 (April to June inclusive). It had previously been set for a February launch.
Autohome reports the electric ute will feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and a driving range of up to 500km, courtesy of a 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
When the JAC T9 electric ute was first revealed – ahead of its pre-release facelift – it measured 5620mm metres long, 1965mm wide and 1920mm tall.
For context, a dual-cab Ford Ranger Wildtrak measures 5370mm long, 1918mm wide and 1884mm tall, making JAC’s ute larger in every aspect.
The turbo-diesel JAC T9 
The electric JAC T9 is expected to go up against the LDV eT60, the only fully electric ute currently on sale in Australia, which is priced from $92,990 before on-roads – or more than double the price of the most expensive turbo-diesel T60.
JAC’s turbo-diesel T9 will come to Australia with a 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, and heated and power-adjustable front seats among other to-be-confirmed features.
Fellow Chinese brand BYD plans to launch a plug-in hybrid ute in Australia in the second half of 2024 (July to December inclusive), with an all-electric version due in 2025.
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