JAC brings electrification to its bakkies.

JAC brings electrification to its bakkies. 

JAC is no stranger to electrification and has already dipped its fingers into the delivery world's pot. Takealot, DSV, Eskom and a number of other businesses have begun integrating JAC battery electric products into their fleets, but to ensure their customers are kept up to date with the latest tech from the brand, the T9 is back and with a sizable electric boost.

The T9 comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that alone makes 160kW and 370Nm, which is a manageable number for a bakkie, but now it has an electric motor in the front and in the rear to ramp up the numbers. The front-mounted motor adds 60kW and 130Nm to the equation, and the rear motor adds 70kW and 150Nm for a total output of 290kW and 670Nm. In other words, the T9 PHEV now has some serious pep in its step.

To ensure this bakkie is firing on all cylinders and motors, the T9 PHEV comes with a 31.2 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery with an 87Ah capacity. So it has a sizeable amount of juice, and once the charge runs out, the 2.0-litre engine retains enough grunt to keep you on the move. Fortunately, this plug-in hybrid has both DC and AC charging capabilities, which gives you the option to fast charge on DC power when you are in a pinch. To reach a full charge using DC power, the T9 will charge up in 85 minutes, while the AC charger will set you back four hours and 30 minutes. Having both options available in a plug-in hybrid is a fantastic touch that more electrified brands should follow.

Now that the power is covered, the T9 also comes rather well equipped to tackle the rough stuff with front and rear locking diffs to ensure traction is maintained in low-grip environments. It also has a mighty impressive towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. On paper, the new T9 seems like a healthy addition to the lifestyle bakkie segments, and it's clear that although it comes equipped with the gear needed to tackle more hardcore objectives, it’s a bakkie for the city, and charging is a concern for the road less travelled.

The JAC T9 has a very American truck vibe about it, at least for its size and style. The T9 is a big bakkie, and it commands a large presence on the road. Yes, the 2WD models that I have tested in the past left a lot to be desired on off-road trails, but like most Chinese off-road offerings, it's rather competent and comfortable on the open road. So the new T9 2.0L TGDI PHEV will likely be a great addition for those who use their bakkie around town for the most part and drag their trailer down the coast on their holidays. This new addition will be on sale by the end of Q2 this year, with the price to follow soon, so we look forward to putting it to the test shortly.