CarBon, an electric vehicle leasing, rental and subscription company, has joined forces with electric vehicle conversion company Roev to launch what they say is the first fully electric 4×4 Toyota HiLux in the Australian market.

Escalating demand from the resources and construction sectors will see production of over 1,000 electric HiLux utility vehicles in the first 12 months, with CarBon securing more than half of these to supply commercial fleet operators eager to transition to zero emissions transport, it says. The ROEV Electric 4×4 HiLux will be a big part of that.

CarBon founder and CEO, Scott Gillespie, said many of the company’s electric 4×4 Hiluxes would take part in a major pilot program in Western Australia’s northwest, where several resources companies will implement the vehicles into their operations.

“Organisations across the board are facing increasing pressure to transition their light commercial fleets to meet ESG targets, but until now there hasn’t been a 4×4 electric ute available; the arrival of the Roev Electric 4×4 HiLux has changed that,” he said.

“Another key concern is testing and safety – and this is where Roev is leading the market in the electric conversion space.

“Roev’s best-practice systems, testing and processes ensure each conversion kit is safe, tailored and seamlessly integrates with the Hilux’s existing structural integrity and standard safety systems.”

Roev CEO & Co-founder, Noah Wasmer, said the demand for commercial EVs far outweighs current supply and Australian fleets are looking for a range of solutions to electrify their vehicles.

“There is huge demand for light commercial EVs in Australia, particularly in the fleet market where businesses are racing to decarbonise,” he said.

“Electric conversions provide an additional option to accelerate this transition and we’ve been working very closely with fleets to ensure the vehicles out-perform expectations.”

Gillespie said commercial EVs provided a significant opportunity to reduce Australia’s emissions.

“In 2022, the transport sector made up 19% of emissions, but, without intervention, it’s projected to be Australia’s largest source of emissions by 2030.

“The HiLux is Australia’s best-selling ute and every converted Roev 4×4 Electric HiLux has the potential to reduce C02 emissions by over 100 t through its usable lifespan.”

The first EV-only rental, leasing and subscription company of its kind in Australia, CarBon partners with organisations to manage EV transition, including implementation, charging infrastructure, utilisation and change management, it says.

The ROEV 4×4 All Electric HiLux will be available from February 2024 to purchase, lease or subscribe through CarBon.