Malaysia’s pickup truck market has a new electrified entrant with the launch of the JAC T9 PHEV Petrol, the country’s first locally assembled petrol plug-in hybrid pickup truck.
Introduced by Evolvelectric Motors Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of JAC pickup trucks in Malaysia, the T9 PHEV Petrol is priced at RM154,888, excluding road tax and insurance.
An exclusive ADVENTURE variant, featuring all-terrain tyres and black alloy rims, is also available at RM162,888.
The T9 PHEV is currently the only plug-in hybrid pickup truck available in Malaysia, combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric four-wheel-drive system and a 4DHT hybrid transmission.
The combined powertrain produces 360kW (483hp) and 1,000Nm of torque, with electric propulsion provided by two motors.
The front motor delivers 130kW and 300Nm, while the rear motor produces 150kW and 340Nm, giving the pickup electric all-wheel-drive capability.
Up To 100km Of Electric Driving
Power comes from a 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by Gotion High-Tech, operating at a rated voltage of 359.1V.
The battery claims to provide an all-electric driving range of up to 100km under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), while claimed fuel consumption is 1.6 litres per 100km.
The T9 PHEV supports both DC and AC charging. Using a DC fast charger, the battery can be charged from 15% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. AC charging takes between 3.5 and 5.5 hours for the same charging range, depending on the charging equipment and conditions.
It also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality with a discharge capacity of up to 15kW, allowing owners to power electrical appliances and work equipment using the vehicle’s battery.
We took the T9 PHEV off-road in China. Read our impression here.
4×4 Capability With Five Terrain Modes
Built on JAC’s third-generation international platform, the T9 PHEV retains the practical capabilities expected of a pickup truck, including a payload of 915kg, braked towing capacity of up to 3,500kg and a wading depth of 550mm.
Drivers can choose between Eco, Standard and Sport driving modes, while five terrain settings – Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock and Off-road Cruise – allow the vehicle to adapt to different driving conditions. Suspension set-up involves double wishbones in front and a multi-link at the rear with a solid axle.
ADAS 2.0 And Five-Star ANCAP Rating
Safety equipment includes ADAS 2.0, with Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Speed Limit Assistant, Door Opening Warning and Driver Monitoring System.
Other features include a 360-degree Around View Monitor and Transparent Chassis View.
The T9 has also received a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Inside, the pickup features black leather seats with diamond stitching. You can choose from five exterior colours: Blue, White, Silver, Dark Grey and Black.
According to Evolvelectric Motors chief executive officer Lau Yit Mun, the JAC T9 PHEV combines performance, versatility and value for customers looking for a vehicle that can serve both business and family needs.
The vehicle comes with a seven-year or 150,000km warranty, while the high-voltage EV battery is covered for eight years or 150,000km, whichever comes first.
CarTok Editor’s Note
The JAC T9 PHEV is an interesting product for Malaysia’s pickup market. Electrification has largely been associated with passenger cars, but a plug-in hybrid powertrain could make sense for pickup owners who want electric driving for shorter daily journeys without giving up the flexibility of a combustion engine for longer trips.
There is also a distinctly Malaysian consideration. Unlike the predominantly diesel-powered pickups in the market, the T9 PHEV runs on petrol, allowing eligible Malaysian owners to make use of their BUDI95 subsidised RON95 allocation. While this is an individual entitlement rather than a vehicle-specific benefit, it adds another consideration to the T9 PHEV’s running costs.
The ownership proposition will nevertheless depend on how regularly owners recharge the battery. A PHEV that is seldom plugged in may not deliver the fuel savings buyers expect.
Local assembly and a starting price below RM155,000 give the T9 PHEV an attractive entry point, but long-term confidence will also depend on aftersales support, parts availability and the distributor’s ability to support the vehicle’s more complex hybrid drivetrain.
