EVs have started to gain traction in Australia, but the key market for utes is yet to see any EV models available to drivers in any great numbers.
Now, a South Korean brand, KGM (previously Ssangyong) has had its electric ute approved for sale in the Australian market, and will come in two key variants – a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD).
According to the approval documentation, the KGM Musso EV will likely enter Australia’s EV space in the coming months with this ute offering, which comes at 5.16 metres and has a tare weight that ranges between 2165 and 2,285 kg, making it one of the lighter electric utes on the market.
Powering the Musso EV is a 152 kW motor in the RWD version, while the AWD bumps that power up to 304 kW.
These variants are fed by an 80.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. It can deliver up to 430 km on the WLTP cycle for the RWD variant.
This battery can be fast charged at speeds of up to 120 kW. With this speed, the Musso EV can be fast-charged from 10-80% in 36 minutes, according to specs found in other markets.
The powertrain can also help the car get from 0-100 km/h in 8 seconds, thanks to 636 Nm of torque in the AWD variant.
When it comes to towing, a 1,800 kg limit is shown on the documentation. When it comes to wheels, the Musso EV will come with 17-inch alloy wheels.
KGM is an acronym for KG Mobility, based in South Korea, and has recently been bringing in vehicles that were previously badged as Ssangyong.
Pricing of the KGM Musso EV is unknown for the local market, but ICE versions of the Musso range between $42,000 – $52,000 before on-roads.
We expect this ute to have a price starting at around $A70,000 if European prices are anything to go by.
Detailed specs and pricing of KGM’s first local EV model will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch in the coming months, and with approval for sale now received, it can’t be too far away, building on the limited list of electric utility vehicles in Australia.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
