Factory Form: JAC T9 PHEV Lands With 360kW, Triple Diff Locks, and a $59,990 Price Tag

June 10, 2026|Rene Vermeer

JAC has officially pulled the covers off its new T9 PHEV at Fieldays, revealing a plug-in hybrid ute that combines impressive performance figures with a sharp launch price of $59,990 plus on-road costs.

First shown to the public as a prototype at Fieldays last year, the production-ready T9 PHEV arrives following a period of local testing and development. According to JAC, feedback gathered from New Zealand customers helped shape the final package before production commenced.

The headline figure is a claimed 360kW.

Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 155kW and 370Nm with two electric motors. A front-mounted motor contributes 130kW and 300Nm, while a rear-mounted motor adds a further 150kW and 340Nm. Combined system output is rated at 360kW and 674Nm.

The hybrid system is paired with a dedicated four-speed transmission that JAC says helps keep the petrol engine operating within its most effective range whether towing, carrying loads, or travelling longer distances.

Performance is a major talking point, with JAC claiming a 0-100km/h time of six seconds.

Despite the focus on electrification, the company says the T9 PHEV was developed to remain a genuine working ute. Braked towing capacity is rated at 3,500kg, while payload is listed at 915kg.

Off-road capability has also received attention. The T9 PHEV is equipped with front, rear, and centre differential locks, alongside dedicated off-road and crawl modes. Approach and departure angles are rated at 27 and 23 degrees respectively, while wading depth is listed at 550mm.

Range is another key part of the package.

JAC claims up to 100km of pure electric driving range and a combined driving range of up to 1,005km under the NEDC test cycle. The company also shared results from local testing, including a reported 1.6L/100km on a Napier to Taupō route and 2.6L/100km between Auckland and Whangārei via the Brynderwyn Hills.

Charging can be completed in approximately five-and-a-half hours using AC power, while DC fast charging is claimed to recharge the battery from 30 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes. Vehicle-to-load capability is also included, allowing external devices to be powered directly from the vehicle.

JAC points to its commercial vehicle background as a key part of the T9 PHEV's development. The company has more than 60 years of truck manufacturing experience and says the vehicle has been engineered to deliver the capability expected of a modern ute while incorporating the benefits of electrification.

Safety remains another major focus. The T9 PHEV carries a five-star ANCAP rating and JAC says its ANCAP score places it as the highest-rated hybrid ute currently available in New Zealand. A 360-degree camera system and a full suite of driver assistance technologies are fitted as standard.

JAC noted that some specification details remain subject to finalisation before customer deliveries begin later this year. According to information supplied at the launch, suspension tuning, selected technology features, vehicle-to-load hardware, and several smaller specification items are still being finalised ahead of production.

The first customer deliveries are expected between late July and early August.

With 360kW, 3,500kg towing capacity, triple differential locks, and up to 100km of electric-only driving range, the T9 PHEV brings a specification sheet unlike anything else currently offered at its launch price point. Whether those figures translate into real-world capability remains to be seen, but on paper at least, JAC has arrived with a compelling new entrant in New Zealand's increasingly competitive ute market.