At a time when every new car seems to be a mere continuation of the last, Toyota breaks that monotony with an exciting new electric pickup truck concept called the Toyota EPU. But can this stylish and technically sophisticated car live up to the expectations of the modern driver or sandblaster? Definitely! Electricity meets practicality and style in this promising concept that was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. The electric will just be a bit more "posh".
The Toyota EPU is a next-generation mid-size pickup truck concept that offers a monocoque body that provides high strength and creates a practical yet stylish battery electric vehicle. With specifications such as length 5,070mm, width 1,910mm, height 1,710mm and wheelbase 3,350mm, the e-PU is designed to suit both urban and rural environments. Compared to the popular Toyota Hilux Double Cab pickup truck, which measures 5325mm in length, 1855mm in width and 1815mm in height2, the e-PU is slightly shorter, wider and lower. The design basically allows the Toyota EPU more space for cargo, while maintaining a sleek and modern look.
Toyota introduced the Toyota e-PU concept as a compact electric semi-truck that is smaller than most other electric semi-trucks on the market. However, it still belongs to the "middle segment". Its four-door cabin with enough space for five people and relatively short cargo area offer a good balance between utility and size. This concept was presented at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, where Toyota also showed other electric concepts. For example electric Toyota Landcruiser SE.
Some critics believe that the e-PU is ready for production and that it shows what the future of Toyota's electric semi-trucks could look like. While Toyota hasn't revealed many details about the powertrain and capabilities, the design of the e-PU shows that the company is seriously committed to an electric future. It will be interesting to see how this concept develops in the coming months and how it will affect the electric car market.
