Review: JAC T9 EV - What does Malaysia's first all-electric pickup truck feel like

There’s a new kid on the block, and it doesn’t rumble, growl, or puff out diesel smoke. In fact, it doesn’t make much noise at all. Meet the 2025 JAC T9 EV, Malaysia’s first all-electric pickup truck.

It’s bold, it's red (or white, or silver, if you prefer), and it’s here to challenge everything you thought you knew about workhorses on four wheels.

Now, let’s be real. The name JAC probably doesn’t ring a bell for most Malaysians. It sounds more like a tuition centre than a truck brand.

But JAC — short for Jianghuai Automobile Company — is a seasoned Chinese manufacturer with deep roots in commercial vehicles, EV tech, and a reputation for getting things done in markets like Latin America and Asia.

And now they’ve landed in Malaysia with a bang — or rather, a whisper, since this one’s electric.

Exterior: big, boxy, and business-ready

Visually, the T9 EV has all the truck DNA you’d expect. It’s tall, wide, and boxy in a handsome, squared-off kind of way. At 5.3 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide, it’s bigger than a Hilux or Triton, and it definitely looks the part.

The front fascia has that modern Chinese EV flair — big grille, sharp headlights, and a muscular stance that says “I work hard but I charge clean.”

Round the back, the taillights look good — clean, modern, and nicely symmetrical. The bed sits relatively low too, which is great. You won’t need to tiptoe just to see inside, and loading things in is easy even before you open the soft-opening, assisted tailgate.

With ground clearance at 210 mm, and options in red, black, silver, white, and dark grey, it looks rugged enough to head straight to a construction site, yet clean enough to roll up at a cafe in Mont Kiara.

Powertrain: Dual motors, plenty of torque

Under the hood? Nothing. This is an EV. But under the body sits a pair of electric motors — one at the front, one at the rear — giving it all-wheel drive by default. Combined, they produce 204 PS and a meaty 516 Nm of torque.

Let that number sink in for a second. 516 Nm. That’s more torque than a 2.8L diesel Hilux. And because it’s electric, all that grunt is available instantly. No turbo lag, no downshifting — just silent surge.

On the road, the T9 EV moves with surprising urgency. It won’t snap your neck, but it’ll outrun plenty of ICE trucks off the line. Need to climb a hill in Kundasang with a full load? No problem we think.

There’s no low or high range gearing here, but you do get five selectable drive modes — including one for off-road. It’s designed to optimise the EV’s performance on tougher terrain by tweaking power delivery, traction control, and throttle response to maximise grip when you need it most.

Now, we didn’t get the chance to properly test it on slippery or truly challenging terrain, but even on regular construction site type surfaces, you can feel the truck behaving differently in off-road mode — everything feels just that bit sharper and more alert.

Battery & Range: Not quite cross-country

Powering the T9 EV is an 88.02 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It’s a safer, more heat-tolerant chemistry — perfect for our blazing Malaysian weather. JAC claims a 340 km WLTP range, but in real-world use, expect something closer to 250–280 km depending on your driving style and load.

The truck’s instrument cluster showed an average consumption of around 21 kWh per 100 km, but let’s be real — you’re not going to squeeze 400 km out of a full charge. That’s just not happening in real-world conditions.

Is that enough? For daily site visits, plantation work, or city-based logistics — yes. Just don’t expect to road trip from KL to Penang and back on a single charge.

Charging: Plug and (eventually) play

The T9 supports both AC and DC charging, and while JAC Malaysia hasn’t highlighted exact speeds during the launch, the official brochure gives us some numbers.

On AC, a full charge from 15% to 100% takes around 8.5 hours — likely using an 11 kW wallbox. For DC fast charging, going from 15% to 80% takes about 45 minutes, which is pretty reasonable for a battery of this size.

It’s not lightning fast by 2025 standards, but it’s respectable — especially if you plan to top up overnight or between job runs.

 

Interior: Functional first, but not bare bones

Step inside and the first impression is clear — this cabin is designed to get the job done. It’s not luxurious, but it’s not bare either. The dashboard is dominated by a 10.4-inch vertical touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, cable operated nonetheless.

There’s also a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and one party trick we love — a cooled centre armrest box. Yes, you can keep your 100 Plus cold on-site.

Seats are leather-wrapped, with only the driver’s seat powered (a step down from the diesel, which powers both fronts). Ambient lighting? Yup, 64 colours of it, which is probably more than you'll ever use but it looks cool at night.

Cabin materials are on the utilitarian side, but build quality feels solid. You’ll also find fast-charging USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 220V 150W socket behind — perfect for power tools, or even a laptop if you’re turning your truck into a mobile office.

One of the perks of being a larger-than-average pickup is the sheer amount of space you get — especially in the rear. Unlike many trucks where rear passengers get the short end of the stick, the T9 EV’s back seat doesn’t feel cramped at all.

In fact, it’s noticeably roomier than something like the new-gen Triton. The seats themselves are surprisingly comfortable too — not overly upright, but gently reclined just enough to make longer journeys feel properly relaxed.

Ride & Handling: Stable, but could use polish

Now, let’s talk ride quality. Underneath, you get double wishbone suspension up front and multi-link leaf springs at the rear — a proper heavy-duty setup that mirrors the Ford Ranger and Triton Athlete.

And here’s the thing — it actually handles better than expected. Thanks to the battery’s weight down low in the chassis, the T9 EV feels remarkably planted, even when unladen. Around bends, there's more composure than you'd expect from a pickup this size.

But it’s not perfect. At low to mid speeds, especially over patched-up B-roads, there’s noticeable juddering and vibration through the cabin. It's not a deal-breaker — but it does feel like they have just plonked the T9 diesel's suspension setup on the EV.  If you’re switching from a modern SUV-feeling truck, you’ll feel it.

That said, the T9 EV rides exactly like what it is — a proper work truck. It feels tough, solid, and built to take abuse. If you’re after something plush or cushy, there are plenty of SUVs that do that better.

In fact, if comfort is a priority, the diesel-powered JAC T9 might be the one to try. Some of our fellow media friends have driven it and mentioned it rides more like an SUV — which is saying something about JAC's ability to create a good truck.

Safety: Mixed bag, but solid basics

Safety kit is decent, though don’t expect ADAS. You get 7 airbags, including a front centre airbag — a rare sight at this price point. There’s also Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which are super handy in busy job sites and parking lots.

But… there’s no front camera, no AEB, and no front parking sensors. For a nearly RM200k truck in 2025, that’s a noticeable omission. Here’s hoping a future update brings those in.

Just like in the handling department, if you want something better, you could also look at the diesel variant, as that comes with better features when it comes to safety.

Price & Warranty: For the bold, not the average

The JAC T9 EV is priced at RM199,800 on-the-road, without insurance. That’s a big ask if you’re a private buyer just looking for your next lifestyle truck — and honestly, this isn’t it. But for companies, fleet operators, or early adopters who want to stand out and get ahead of the curve, there’s genuine value here.

You’re paying to be first — the first to go electric in a segment still dominated by diesel, the first to enjoy that extra instant torque on a truck, the first to turn heads at every job site.

Sure, it’s not perfect, but pioneering rarely is. If you're the kind who wants the latest tech, wants to be seen doing things differently, and doesn't mind ironing out the creases along the way — this truck is for you.

Warranty? You get 5 years unlimited mileage for the vehicle, and 6 years/200,000 km for the battery — which is competitive.

A brave first step 

So, is the JAC T9 EV worth considering? If you’re looking for a daily-use truck that saves you on fuel, has real pulling power, and lets you show up at site meetings without smelling like diesel — then yeah, this is a seriously interesting option.

It’s not trying to be a lifestyle truck, and it doesn’t pretend to be premium. But as a function-first, future-ready workhorse, it gets the job done — and does it quietly.

More importantly, it’s the start of something new. JAC may not be a household name yet, but with the T9 EV, they’ve planted a big red flag on Malaysian soil. And we’re very curious to see where they go next. 

We're keen to try out the diesel variant, because that has a better price point for most,  and more equipment as well as better ride. 

JAC T9 EV Specifications

• Drivetrain: Dual Motor AWD

• Power Output: 204 PS

• Torque: 516 Nm

• Seats: 5

• 0-100 km/h: Not officially stated (~9–10 seconds est.)

• Battery: 88.02 kWh LFP

• Range: 340 km (WLTP)

• AC Charging Speed: 15-80% in 8.5hrs

• DC Charging Speed: 15–80% SoC in 45 minutes

• Price: RM 199,800