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Future models - JAC - T9 - evMelbourne Show: Electric JAC T9s to the minesJAC sends T9 BEV ute to WA mines for 12-month trial prior to local launch decision7 Apr 2025 By NEIL DOWLING NEW Chinese entrant to the Australian market, JAC Automotive, premiered a battery electric version of its T9 ute at the Melbourne Motor Show that sits precisely in the wish-list of thousands of Australian car-buyers – but unless they work at select Western Australian mine sites, their first drive of this high-tech truck could be more than two years away.
The JAC T9 EV – with a tempting 220kW/516Nm and a conservative WTLP range of 330km – was unveiled at the Melbourne show before it is sent for a trial for up to 12 months with mining companies in Western Australia.
JAC’s single all-electric ute is in Australia purely for publicity and trials, with JAC giving no timetable for possible market launch in Australia.
The all-electric T9 was part off JAC’s announcement that it is planning to launch six new models or variants on the Australian market by the end of 2026, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) T9 ute and possibly the start of a range of passenger cars.
At the recent Melbourne Motor Show, JAC global vice general manager David Zhang said Australia was regarded as a highly sought after and mature market that because of its discretionary buyer profile, would make any brand – including JAC – “look good”.
“It’s a difficult market to enter but one that has a lot of promise for us,” he told GoAuto.
“The focus for us is to make a strong, durable ute that has the power and low-cost efficiency to attract a large customer base.”
JAC Australia managing director Ahmed Mahmoud told GoAuto there was no plan for the launch of the T9 EV.
He said that after the trial period “it will be added to our business case for Australia and then assessed to see if it works”.
Mr Mahmoud said the ute would also be tuned for Australian conditions, a process that the car-maker has already done with the T9 diesel (already on sale) and forthcoming T9 PHEV (see separate story).
The EV is identified from its T9 diesel and upcoming T9 PHEV by its grille-less fascia.
It shares its ladder-frame platform and conventional leaf-spring rear suspension layout with the T9 diesel, with modifications to accommodate an 88kW LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) battery and dual electric motors.
It has a combined output of 220kW/516Nm, an acceleration to 100km/h of 8.5 seconds, and a WLTP driving range of 330km.
The JAC T9 EV has both AC and DC charging and can replenish from 15 per cent to 80 per cent in 40 minutes. It also has an external power socket for vehicle-to-load (V2L) applications such as powering electric tools on-site.
Suiting its tradie target market, it also has a payload rating of 900kg and a tub which can fit a full-size Australian pallet between the wheelarches.
Inside, the JAC T9 EV replicates the comfort and practicality as its ICE sibling and shares its safety and convenience features.
JAC emphasises that the T9 diesel is Australia’s safest ute (by ANCAP ratings) and believes that will be extended to a production model of the EV.
“The JAC T9 EV dual-cab ute is further proof of JAC Motors’ standing as one of China's leading innovators in sustainable motoring and EV technology,” said Mr Mahmoud.
“With its powerful electric drivetrain, comfortable interior and hard-working credentials, the JAC T9 EV proves that environmental responsibility and work-life versatility can co-exist.”
The JAC T9 EV makes its Australian premiere just over a year after it was first revealed at the Guangzhou Motor Show.
JAC, which was the first Chinese manufacturer to introduce a ‘new energy’ vehicle in 2011, said the T9 EV has been launched to high demand in China and some international markets.  Read more20th of March 2025  Melbourne Show: Aus debut for JAC T9 BEV uteJAC to premiere T9 EV dual-cab ute at Melbourne Motor Show, not yet confirmed for Oz13th of March 2025  Melbourne Show: JAC’s finest to land in AusFlashy JAC De-Fine electric supercar concept to make Melbourne Motor Show splashMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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