The dual-cab ute market in Australia is about to get even more competitive, with JAC Motors Australia confirming that the new Hunter PHEV will start from under $50,000 MSRP while delivering the towing and payload figures buyers expect from a serious work vehicle.
For months the big questions surrounding the Hunter PHEV have been price, towing and payload. JAC has now answered all three. The new plug-in hybrid ute will offer 3,500kg braked towing capacity and a 915kg payload across the range, while also delivering a claimed combined driving range of up to 1,005km based on NEDC testing.
That combination of numbers puts the Hunter PHEV directly into the conversation for fleets and tradies looking to reduce fuel costs and emissions without giving up capability.
Under the bonnet is a dual powertrain system that combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, producing a claimed 360kW. JAC says the Hunter also features a 31.2kWh LFP battery, four-wheel drive with front and rear differential locks, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.
Fuel consumption is claimed at just 1.6L/100km on the NEDC cycle, although real-world fleet results will ultimately determine how much value buyers can extract from the plug-in hybrid system.
A key message from JAC is that the Hunter has been engineered to maintain full towing performance without compromise.
“Unlike conventional hybrids, Hunter delivers full 3,500kg towing capacity, providing consistent, dependable performance when it matters most,” the company said in its announcement. “This is towing engineered for real world Australia, not laboratory conditions.”
JAC Motors Australia is also leaning heavily into the local validation story. Under its “Project: No Shortcuts” testing program, the Hunter completed 50,000km of Australian validation work covering rough roads, extreme heat, heavy rain and long-distance touring conditions.
The company has also partnered with global engineering specialists Multimatic during development. The engineering program included input from Michael Barber from Multimatic, a company known globally for high-performance and off-road vehicle programs.
Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director at JAC Motors Australia, said the goal was to deliver strong capability and efficiency without the premium pricing increasingly seen in the ute market.
“Our focus was simple, deliver a truly work ready ute with class leading power, serious towing capability and outstanding efficiency, without the premium price tag,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director at JAC Motors Australia.
“With Hunter, we’re giving Australian buyers everything they’ve been asking for and more, at a price point that changes the conversation.”
The timing is significant. Fleet buyers are increasingly balancing towing and payload requirements against rising fuel prices, emissions reporting expectations and changing procurement policies linked to lower-emission vehicles.
Until now, buyers wanting electrified utes have generally faced higher purchase prices or compromises around towing and payload. JAC is clearly targeting that gap in the market..
