It seems the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pickup truck segment is about to get busier and more crowded. While we already have the likes of the BYD Shark 6 and the Changan Nevo Hunter K50 available in the Philippine market, it will also soon include the Nissan Navara Pro PHEV, which was previewed at this year’s Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).

In the future, another Chinese automaker may soon join the PHEV pickup truck segment. This comes after the Department of Energy (DOE) updated its list of recognized plug-in hybrids and has now recognized the JAC T9 PHEV. Based on the DOE’s listing, the JAC T9 PHEV has a maximum electric power of 310 kW or 421 PS and a maximum engine output of 160 kW or 217 PS. Meanwhile, its battery capacity is at 31.2 kWh.

Digging further for some of its specifications, the JAC T9 PHEV in other markets comes with two electric motors (one on each axle), a 2.0L turbocharged gas engine, and a 31.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. With both the engine and electric motors working together, JAC claims the T9 PHEV has a combined system output of 385 kW or 523 PS and over 1,000 Nm of torque.

On battery power alone, JAC says the T9 PHEV can do up to 100 km, based on the CLTC cycle. However, with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery, JAC says the T9 PHEV can cover up to 1005 km, based on the CLTC standard. When it comes to recharging the pickup, the T9 PHEV supports both 6.6 kW AC charging and the faster 40 kW DC charging. The former can recharge the pickup from 15% to 100% in 5.5 hours, while the latter can replenish the T9 PHEV’s battery from 15% to 80% in only 30 minutes.

Need to power up a campsite or some of your appliances during a blackout? The T9 PHEV is also available with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. The standard output is at 3.3 kW, but it can be expanded to 15 kW when the need arises.

Size-wise, the T9 PHEV measures 5330mm long, 1965mm wide, and 1920mm tall on a 3110mm wheelbase. Unlike most pickup trucks, the T9 PHEV comes with a multi-link rear suspension to give it a softer ride at the expense of a lower payload capacity of only 715 kg.

While JAC did launch the turbo-diesel T9 last year with a multi-link rear suspension, it was sold under the (now-defunct) Astara Group. But with the JAC T9 PHEV now on the DOE’s list of recognized plug-in hybrids, we’re curious if the company that sells JAC trucks in the country is thinking of joining the passenger vehicle segment. Alternatively, perhaps JAC is looking at setting up a subsidiary in the Philippines.

For now, we’ll wait for more details to appear regarding the JAC T9 PHEV and its other vehicles.