Chinese battery maker CATL is preparing a battery for utes to charge in seven minutes to best diesel-powered versions of the 2027 Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux

China could be about to take down the diesel ute for good. 

CATL has unveiled its new 8C battery specifically designed to charge light commercial EVs, including utes.

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High diesel fuel prices and increasingly stringent emissions standards are accelerating the diesel ute’s demise, particularly in Australia. 

The ute segment has declined more than 11 per cent so far in 2026, with almost all diesel models impacted.

Electrified alternatives such as the BYD Shark 6 have provided a sneak peak into the future, but roadblocks to a full-scale uptake remain. 

The Shark 6’s plug-in hybrid set-up has been a revelation in Australia, but it only has an electric-only driving range of less than 100km - insufficient to be routinely used on just EV power.

Its 30kWh battery takes around half-an-hour to fill from 30 to 80 per cent. 

Other brands have begun introducing fully-electric utes in Australia, including the KGM Musso EV, with the MG U9 EV coming soon. 

Toyota recently launched an electric version of its hugely popular HiLux ute.

Its 59kWh battery has a total driving range of 315km, according to the more generous NEDC standards.

A WLTP figure is more likely to sit in the mid-to-high 200km range. 

Charging from 10 to 80 per cent via DC takes 30 minutes - a figure not among the top scores in the EV space. 

EV driving range and charging remains a challenging combo to perfect.

Diesel power has proven to be effective for utes, ensuring they can get through the heavy and constant work required.

Weight and the necessary high amounts of power and torque pose a challenge to electric utes.

CATL’s new battery could provide a big step towards the usability of them.

Chinese brands BYD, Chery and Geely have developed fast charging batteries, but CATL's example is especially designed for commercial vehicles.

It would mean these electric utes could be charged significantly faster, so even if range figures are not as high, the battery can be replenished quickly.

CATL also said the battery can excel in extreme conditions, and it only takes an extra two-and-a-half minutes to charge at -20°C.

Toyota has a global partnership with CATL and uses its batteries in key models, but not in the HiLux BEV currently.

CATL's new battery could be a huge opportunity for Toyota to take its electric ute to the next level.

The battery maker has been stepping up its EV fast charging game in recent months.

It announced its third generation Shenxing battery earlier this year, capable of charging from 10 to 80 per cent in less than four minutes.