Report: Mitsubishi putting Triton EV plans aside; will make hybrid instead

Triton EV plans put to the back burner

The midsize pickup truck segment in the country could very well be getting its own dose of electrification soon. Isuzu has confirmed plans to bring in the D-Max EV in the Philippines, while Toyota has introduced an electric version of the 9th-generation Hilux, which could also come into the country.

Mitsubishi, on the other hand, is also joining the electrification trend with the Triton. But unlike its two rivals, the brand is taking a different route. According to a report from Drive, Mitsubishi has put aside its plans to launch a battery-electric Triton pickup truck and will instead focus on rolling out a self-charging hybrid version.

Back in 2023, Mitsubishi announced plans to launch a pickup BEV by 2028. But with consumer demand leaning towards hybrids over full EVs, the direction has shifted towards the hybrid way, according to Mitsubishi engineer Kaoru Sawase.

Product-wise, one of Mitsubishi’s main concerns that holds them back from launching an electric Triton is how the EV architecture will hold up in extreme off-road driving and carrying heavy loads on tarmac. This is why Mitsubishi is focusing on a self-charging hybrid Triton that won’t compromise the pickup truck’s off-road and load-carrying abilities while remaining compliant when it comes to stricter emissions tests.

The hybrid Triton’s architecture is expected to sandwich an electric motor between the engine and transmission, which will allow it to retain its mechanical four-wheel-drive system, along with its low-range transfer case and locking rear differential. It’s no different from the likes of Land Rover, Jeep, and Toyota, with the Land Cruiser, which has already rolled out electrified 4WDs and kept its mechanical systems.

Sawase-san also said that this project will solely be a Mitsubishi undertaking, free from the influence of its alliance partners Renault and Nissan.

Source: Drive