The Maxus T90EV stands out as a brave leader in a world that is quickly moving toward electrification. The T90EV is one of the first all-electric pickup trucks available in the UK and other parts of the world. Maxus wants to combine tough utility with driving that doesn’t pollute the air. SAIC Motor, one of China’s biggest car companies, made Maxus. The company’s electric vans have already become popular, and now it wants to break into the light commercial pickup market, which is still mostly made up of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The T90EV is more than just a tech statement; it’s also a useful option for tradespeople, fleet managers, and businesses that care about the environment and want a vehicle that will last.
Design and Presence on the Road
The Maxus T90EV doesn’t look very different from a regular diesel pickup at first glance. It has a strong and muscular body, with prominent wheel arches, a bold front grille (though this is mostly for looks in an EV), and a double-cab layout that can seat five people. It is 5,365 mm long and 1,900 mm wide, which is about the same size as other popular pickups like the Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux.
The T90EV’s rear cargo bed is big, measuring about 1,485 mm long, 1,510 mm wide, and 530 mm deep. This means it can easily carry tools, materials, or outdoor gear. You can make it more useful by adding optional accessories like a stainless steel sport bar, roller shutter tops, and hard covers. It doesn’t have the super-rugged look of some off-road 4x4s, but it does have a strong presence on the road that says “useful” without sacrificing style.
Comfort and technology inside
Maxus offers a surprisingly high-end experience inside the T90EV. There is a big 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard, which is clean and modern. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features that make it easy for both personal and business users to connect. There are USB ports, 12V sockets, and a 220V power outlet in the cabin, which is useful for charging mobile devices on the job or while traveling.
The seats are comfortable and adjustable, and the driver can control them electronically in six different ways. There is a lot of storage space in the cabin, and the view is good. However, people who are used to SUVs or sedans may need to adjust to the upright pickup seating position. The soundproofing is good, but not great, and there is still some wind and road noise at highway speeds, which is normal for a car in this class.
Performance and the Powertrain
An 88.5 kWh lithium-ion battery powers an electric motor on the back of the car that gives it 201 bhp (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque. The T90EV only drives the rear wheels, so it works best on paved roads and light off-road tasks, not in deep mud, sand, or snow. There are reports that a 4×4 version is being worked on, which could make it much more appealing.
A pickup truck speeds up quickly. The T90EV feels quick around town and responsive when passing other cars because its electric motor gives it instant torque. It doesn’t drive like a sports car, but it does handle well and with confidence, especially when it’s empty. The regenerative braking system works well, but it doesn’t let you change the regen levels like some high-end EVs do.
Charging and Range
Range anxiety is a big deal for commercial EVs, and the Maxus T90EV says it can go up to 220 miles (354 km) on a single charge. In real-world mixed driving, especially when you have a lot of stuff in the car or use the air conditioning a lot, you can expect to get closer to 170–190 miles. This range isn’t a record-breaker, but it’s competitive for a vehicle in this class, especially for city and regional work.
Both AC and DC ports can be used to charge. The T90EV can go from 20% to 80% in about 45 minutes on a fast charger (DC 80 kW). Charging fully at home or at a depot wallbox (AC 11 kW) will take about 8–9 hours, so most people can charge overnight. Long-distance fleet users may find it limiting that it doesn’t have ultra-fast charging, but it works well for urban logistics and daily job sites.
Usefulness and Payload Capacity
The T90EV is a great workhorse, which is what makes it different from a passenger vehicle. It can carry 1,000 kg (1 tonne), which is the minimum amount for UK business users to not have to pay VAT. The towing capacity is 1,500 kg (braked), which is less than some diesel pickups but enough for small trailers, tools, or recreational use.
Another highlight is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature, allowing users to power tools or appliances directly from the vehicle’s battery. This makes the T90EV a great tool for work sites, off-grid adventures, or emergencies when you need power.
Problems and Limitations
The Maxus T90EV has a lot of good points, but it also has some problems. Without a four-wheel-drive system, it can’t handle serious off-road work or tough winter conditions very well. Its ground clearance is fine for city driving, but it’s not as high as that of a regular 4×4 pickup. The battery placement under the floor could be weak on rocky or uneven ground.
The range can also go down a lot when towing, carrying heavy loads, or driving in the cold. This means that planning around charging infrastructure is very important. The charging network is getting better, but it’s still not as widespread or fast as it needs to be for full use in remote or rural areas.
Another thing to think about is how much you trust the brand and how good their customer service is after you buy something. Maxus is still fairly new in many Western markets, so it’s hard to say how many dealers there are, how easy it is to find spare parts, and how much the cars will be worth in the long run. But Maxus is growing quickly and offers a strong warranty to ease the worries of early adopters.
Position in the Market and Prices
The T90EV starts at about £49,950 (excluding VAT) in the UK, which is a good price when you think about how much money you can save on gas, maintenance, and taxes. The T90EV can be a good choice for fleet operators or business buyers instead of diesel pickups, especially in cities with ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) rules.
The Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and custom-built conversions are the only other electric pickups that are really competing with it in Europe. None of these are widely available or cheap in the UK or EU. This gives Maxus a unique first-mover advantage in making a useful electric pickup available to the general public.
In conclusion, a look at the future of electric utilities
The Maxus T90EV is the first electric commercial vehicle of its kind. It combines the usefulness of a regular pickup with the lower operating costs and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle. For tradespeople, fleet managers, and businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve, it is a good alternative to diesel, especially in cities and suburbs.
It has some flaws, like not having 4×4 and not being able to charge quickly, but it also has a lot of good points, like a usable real-world range, a strong payload, and useful on-board features. The T90EV could be remembered as the electric pickup that started a new era in work vehicles as infrastructure gets better and Maxus keeps growing.