New Tembo Tusker electric ute announced for Australia

Two electric utes will be available from Tembo, in the form of the dual-cab Tusker-D and the single cab Tusker-S. With a starting price of $74,000 and both rear and all-wheel drive formats, the Tusker range shows promise for tradespeople and off-roaders alike.

Tembo is just one of a number of new EV brands selling to Australia, with the distinction of being Europe-based instead of originating from China.

The announcement was made via LinkedIn on Wednesday by Chris Mallios, COO for Nasdaq-listed energy solutions company Vivopower, which acquired Tembo in 2020.

Mallios said it was "a significant milestone in Tembo's mission to electrify global off-road vehicles, and the sector-leading price demonstrates the power of Tembo's next-generation global design and partner network."

While a little-known name in Australia, Tembo in 2021 inked a $A330 million to distribute ute conversion kits in partnership with GB Auto, a NSW-based electrical group that has a strong connection with the mining industry. Tembo now has design centres in Eindhoven, London and importantly for Australia, Melbourne. 

The single cab Tusker-S starts at $74,000 before GST and on-roads and promises 120kW power and 330Nm torque, while the dual cab Tusker-D starts at just $1,000 more, promising 130kW power and the same 330Nm torque.

Both come with an option of a 66kWh or 77kWh battery delivering up to 400km range, with a payload capacity of 1 tonne on top of a maximum 1.975 tonne tare weight, and a optional tow capacities between 750kg and 3 tonnes.

A spokesperson for the company has confirmed that while full homologation is expected by September 2024, the fleet is currently being trialled in mining and resources environments.

Official specifications are yet to be fully confirmed, but are expected to include electric side view mirrors, keyless entry, electric adjustable headlamps, artificial leather upholstery and an LCD screen with both Bluetooth and USB connectivity plus an auxiliary jack.

With a 210mm ground clearance, the 5.3m Tusker is a little wider and taller than a Mitsubishi Triton, and has a 3.1m wheelbase driving on 17” tyres. A draft spec sheet promises power steering, disc brakes on the front and drum on the back, plus double wishbone coil independent spring suspension on the front and leaf springs on the back.

Both AC and DC charging are available. Charge rates have not been revealed as yet, but charging from 20-80 per cent is expected to be achievable in 45 minutes, suggesting a 50kW DC rate.

Safety specs – which include SRS airbags, reverse cameras and electronic brake force distribution – plus a rugged design made from impact-resistant materials promise to meet exacting expectations.

The Tembo Tusker is expected to go through ANCAP testing, and bull bars are also expected. These figures will no doubt be key to its success with fleets; the Tembo is also available through finance from $295 per week over 5 years with a 20 per cent balloon, or on subscription from $499 per week.