The Maxus T90EV is a big deal in the car industry because it is the UK’s first all-electric pickup truck. Diesel power has long been the norm in commercial vehicles, especially pickups. The T90EV is a big step toward electrification, mostly because of the Chinese-owned SAIC Maxus. This car tries to combine the tough utility that people expect from a workhorse with the benefits of an electric powertrain that doesn’t pollute the air. The T90EV is a good product because it got to the market early, but it is a compromise between its electrified platform and the needs of its segment.
Design, outside look, and main specs
The T90EV looks like a classic pickup truck from the outside. It is built on the same chassis as the Maxus T90, which is powered by diesel. It has a tough, imposing look, with a big, bold front grille and thin headlights on either side. This gives it a ready-for-work look. It is a big car, measuring 5,365mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,809mm high. It is about the same size as other diesel cars on the market.
Changing to an electric platform, on the other hand, brings up a number of important design and engineering decisions that determine what it can do. There is an 88.55kWh lithium-ion battery pack underneath. The car is powered by an electric motor that produces 204 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque. The T90EV is only a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model when it first comes out, which is very important. Most pickup buyers expect four-wheel drive (4WD) for traction and off-road capability, so this RWD-only setup is a big change from what they expect. The motor is on the rear axle, which means that the ground clearance is only 187 mm, which makes it less suitable for serious off-road adventures. Maxus has hinted that they are working on a 4WD version, which would probably fix this main problem.
Powertrain, Range, and Charging Dynamics
The T90EV’s electric heart gives it an official WLTP combined range of 205 to 220 miles. This number might be good enough for a lot of regional business users or daily commuters, but real-world testing has shown that it drops a lot, especially when driving on the highway, in cold weather, or with a load. Some reviews have shown that real-world ranges can drop to around 115 miles when conditions aren’t great, which shows how hard it is to electrify a big, aerodynamically-challenged utility vehicle.
The car has three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Power. These modes can be used to control performance and efficiency, but the differences between them are often said to be small. Like an electric vehicle, it runs smoothly and quietly, but its 310Nm of torque is low compared to the higher numbers (often 400Nm or more) that modern diesel pickups have. This means that the truck can speed up quickly at low speeds, but it can feel slow once the truck’s size and shape start to take over.
Charging ability is good, but not the best in its class. The T90EV can charge quickly with DC power up to 80kW, which means it can go from 20% to 80% in about 45 minutes. AC charging, which is good for charging overnight at a depot or home, takes 9 to 13 hours to fully charge a battery from 5% to 100% with an 11kW supply. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability is a useful feature for businesses because it lets the high-capacity drive battery power tools and equipment outside of the vehicle.
Utility, Payload, and Towing Capacity
The Maxus T90EV is very competitive with diesel vehicles in the very important area of utility. The load bed is big enough to hold a lot of stuff, measuring 1,485mm long, 1,510mm wide, and 530mm high. This makes it comparable to other popular pickups. Its maximum payload capacity is 1,000 kg (1 tonne), which is very important for business buyers. Getting to this one-tonne payload limit is very important because it makes the T90EV a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) under UK law, which gives businesses big tax and VAT breaks.
But the towing capacity is a big point of disagreement. The maximum braked towing capacity is limited, with numbers ranging from 1,000 kg to 1,500 kg. This is much less than the 3,500 kg maximum of many diesel-powered competitors. This restriction will make it impossible for people who often tow heavy trailers to buy it. Also, like all electric vehicles, carrying a full load or towing will greatly affect how far you can drive. The load bed is useful because it has a painted bed liner and external rope hooks. However, reviewers have said that the heavy, undamped tailgate is a small problem.
Inside and Technology
The Maxus T90EV’s cabin is designed to be tough and durable, making it a good choice for a work vehicle. It has a modern but somewhat bare look and is upholstered in fake leather. The 10.25-inch digital touchscreen infotainment system is the most important part of the dashboard. This system has smartphone mirroring through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a must-have because the built-in operating system has been called slow and hard to use.
One interesting design choice is the addition of physical buttons for heating and ventilation. This is a nice touch for people who like to use their hands to control things. These buttons are touch-sensitive, though, which can make them hard to use when you’re wearing work gloves. The cabin is big, with comfortable seats and enough storage space. Electric seat adjustment, a camera that shows what’s behind you, and sensors that help you park in the back are all standard features. It’s strange that important features like heated front seats are often optional. This seems like a mistake for an EV, where efficient electric heating is important for keeping passengers comfortable and extending the range in cold weather. The steering wheel can do a lot of things, but it only adjusts for rake, not reach, which can make it hard for some people to find the right driving position.
Position in the Market and Final Thoughts
The Maxus T90EV costs just under £50,000 (not including VAT), which makes it more expensive than many entry-level or even mid-range diesel pickups. Because of its high price and the fact that it doesn’t work as well as others, it’s a niche option. It mostly appeals to fleet operators, businesses, and people who are committed to electrification or whose daily work route is within the truck’s realistic range and doesn’t involve heavy towing or hard off-road use. Businesses in this group have strong reasons to buy it because it is an LCV and a zero-emission vehicle.
In short, the Maxus T90EV is a serious and important first step into the world of electric pickups. It meets the important one-tonne payload requirement and provides a smooth, quiet ride in cities. But it can’t yet be a direct, no-compromise replacement for a high-specification diesel pickup because it doesn’t have 4WD, has a shorter real-world range, and can only tow a small amount. Even though it has broken the ground, the T90EV is likely to be seen as a basic vehicle that paved the way for more advanced electric and hybrid competitors from well-known companies.
