Contrary to expectations, the first electric pick-up does not come from manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen, Nissan or Mitsubishi, but from Maxus. Maxus – never heard of it? The commercial vehicle specialist is part of the SAIC Group and last year was again number one in its home country of China. With more and more of its brands, the China leader is now also expanding to Europe. After MG, Maxus is increasingly making a name for itself here. With the Maxus T90 EV, the first electric pick-up is now coming to Europe and thus bestsellers such as the new Ford Ranger or the VW Amarok developed with it are left behind. They, too, are supposed to come as electric variants in the middle of the decade, but Maxus simply buzzed them away with the T90 EV.
Maxus is still largely unknown in Europe and especially in Germany. So far, the Chinese brand has primarily made a name for itself among tradespeople with its electric commercial vehicles eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9. Maxus prefers to travel electrically and offers a lot of commercial vehicles for the money compared to the competition from Europe and Asia – that appeals to many commercial customers. After the predominantly white goods offered, there is now something for the head and heart for the first time – the T90 EV. The pickup is powered by a 133 kW / 177 hp electric motor on the rear axle. It’s fast right from the start, but with a maximum torque of 310 Nm you’re not really powerful and at least tall drivers have to get used to the high seating position thanks to the battery pack hidden in the underbody. The lithium-iron-phosphate battery comes from the large Maxus eDeliver 9 van and, with a capacity of 89 kWh, ensures a range of an unimpressive 330 kilometers. The standard consumption: 26.8 kWh / 100 kilometers.
The fact that the T90 EV is initially only available with rear-wheel drive should be more important when making a purchase decision, so it should hardly be an option for a number of potential customers because there is not much to be found off the beaten track and it is therefore only one ton on the hook. Other pickups offer between 2,000 and 3,500 kilograms. When driving, you can tell that the Maxus has been converted from a combustion engine to an electric version. The weight distribution has an inharmonious effect on the handling, since there is no mass on the front axle. The steering is too easy and there is little feedback from the respective surface. If there are ruts or if the China truck drives over deep potholes and broken roads, the bumpy chassis is hardly convincing. The T90 EV springs woodenly and inharmoniously at the front and rear; However, weight on the loading area should at least improve the bumpy driving experience behind the double cabin.
The driver can switch between the three driving modes Eco, Normal and Sport via buttons on the center console, which is only noticeable in the response to the accelerator pedal, as the chassis and steering remain unaffected. Inside, there are generously sized front and rear seats, while the quality feel, steering wheel and instruments make the T90 more of a rustic commercial vehicle than a workhorse that the driver likes to drive on weekends for leisure and family. Long distances are prevented not only by the moderate top speed of 120 km/h and the rather moderate range, but also by the clearly audible wind noise at higher speeds on country roads. On the other hand, not only the spacious cabin is practical, but also the 1.49 x 1.51 meter loading area, which easily accommodates larger objects up to 925 kilograms.
One or the other electrical installation company or plumber should consider whether the 5.37 meter long Maxus T90 EV gives them a green image when you roll almost silently into the customer driveway. But maybe wait a few more months before the sensible all-wheel drive version follows, which should then also have more towing capacity. Maybe then the battery pack and charging speed will be improved, because 80 kWh charging speed is simply not enough in 2023. The battery pack in the underbody is charged from 20 to 80 percent in around 45 minutes at a rapid charging station. Alternatively, the pick-up can be connected to the wall box during operation and charged in three phases. At prices starting at a stately 65,438 euros, there is not only the double cab with space for up to five people or appropriate luggage, but also aluminum rims, step strips, parking aid / reversing camera, LED headlights and a loading area protection. Inside, the occupants can use the 10.25-inch touch screen, Bluetooth or Apple Carplay.
