The Electric Revolution: Australia's Cheapest EV Ute Put to the Test
As I embarked on my journey with Australia's first affordable fully electric ute, my heart was pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Having driven a trusty Volkswagen Polo for years, I was stepping into a whole new world of automotive technology.
Australia's fascination with massive utes and SUVs is no secret, but with growing concerns about safety and the environment, the rise of electric vehicles offers an intriguing alternative. And here's where it gets controversial: can electric utes bridge the gap between performance and sustainability?
Electric car sales have been on the rise, with the Musso EV leading the charge as the first electric ute by South Korean brand KGM. But will it convince gas-guzzling ute and SUV enthusiasts, or is it more suited to newcomers like myself? And with road fatalities reaching alarming levels, can electric utes be the solution?
I set out to find the answers, and what I discovered was an eye-opening experience.
A Modern Take on a Classic
Stepping into the Musso EV, I was immediately struck by its modern features. From a wireless phone charger to a sleek start button, it felt like a step into the future. The 360-degree birds-eye view camera system was a game-changer, especially for navigating tight spots.
The Musso EV comes in two-wheel and all-wheel drive options, and I had the pleasure of testing the all-wheel drive model in a vibrant green. Its starting price of $60,000 makes it an attractive option compared to its fully electric competitors.
Hussein Dia, a professor of future urban mobility, described the Musso as "the first genuinely affordable electric ute in Australia." He praised its long-range capabilities and fancy SUV-like features. However, he cautioned that it might not be suited for heavy-duty work, a concern shared by many traditional ute and SUV owners.
KGM, on the other hand, positions the Musso as a "lifestyle ute," designed for those who want to do more than just tow boats and caravans. Stevan Dimitrovski, the Australian national marketing manager, emphasized its practicality for everyday tasks like carrying bikes and golf clubs.
The Suburban Road Test
To truly test the Musso EV, I took it on a journey through the heart of Sydney's suburbs. It navigated Bunnings car parks, Red Rooster drive-thrus, Westfield shopping centers, and even enjoyed a leisurely drive around Parramatta Park.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding a public charger. While most EV owners charge at home or work, public chargers are essential for those without off-street parking or for long-distance travelers. Unfortunately, my search for a public charger proved fruitless, highlighting a significant infrastructure gap.
Professor Dia's experiments with "charging deserts" revealed that a 4,000km drive from Melbourne to Darwin would require careful planning. The Musso EV's claimed range of 380-420km might not be sufficient for rural areas, some of which lack any charging coverage at all.
Even in Sydney's suburbs, finding a public charger was a challenge. Using the state government's electric vehicle charging map, I visited three charging stations in western Sydney, only to find them either occupied or non-existent.
I sought the opinions of fellow ute drivers at a Bunnings car park. Their responses were varied. Some, like electrician Tully, were open to the idea of electric utes but wanted to wait for more proven technology. Retiree Sue appreciated the Musso's looks but expressed concern about the lack of noise, while another retiree, Jim, worried about range and charging station accessibility.
Engineer Jack believed Australia's infrastructure wasn't ready yet, preferring to stick with a diesel ute for work travel. The only convinced ute driver was handyman Steve, who saw electric utes as perfect for city work, where off-road capabilities weren't necessary.
The Future of Electric Utes
Utes dominated the top five most-purchased cars of 2024, with the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux leading the pack. Professor Dia expressed hope that electric utes would soon join this elite list.
"For a long time, the market has been dominated by diesel and petrol engine manufacturers, but the electric vehicle game is different," he said.
While the environmental benefits of electric utes are clear, KGM's marketing strategy focuses more on toughness and lifestyle rather than sustainability. Belinda Noble of Comms Declare suggested that this approach echoes Elon Musk's genius with Tesla, where the focus was on creating the best driving experience rather than environmental advertising.
However, Noble cautioned against the message of dominance in massive cars, which contradicts environmental messages. Road safety remains a critical concern, with Australia's road toll reaching a 12-year high in 2024. Experts attribute this to the trend of larger vehicles, which go against efforts to improve safety.
Although the Musso EV is more environmentally friendly, its size - 5.2 meters long, 1.9 meters wide, and 1.8 meters high - is still substantial. While I felt safe driving it, others might not share the same confidence.
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of these large vehicles on our roads and environment. As I returned to my Polo, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, knowing that electric utes like the Musso EV offer a promising future, but we still have a long way to go in terms of infrastructure and changing perceptions.
So, what do you think? Are electric utes the answer to our sustainability and safety concerns? Or do we need to rethink our relationship with large vehicles altogether? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
