The Foton T5 EV: The Best Car License Solution

The Foton T5 EV is a flexible workhorse, with GVM options giving your future fleet the opportunity to perform to its full potential.

A strength of the package is its adaptability - the model can be plated with a GVM of 4,500kg for car licence operation or 6,000kg for light rigid licenced drivers.

What does this mean?

Locking in the higher GVM gives you flexibility in heavier payload, bodies, or auxiliaries, while the lower mass option gives you a larger talent pool to draw on when crewing your fleet.

Additionally, one of the T5 EV’s leading points of difference is its unique for EV 3,500kg braked towing capacity, making it a practical alternative for a massive array of final applications.

Importantly, both the 4,500kg and 6,000kg GVM allow for towing.

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Why the Foton T5 EV at 4,500kg?

Clearly, a major advantage of the lower GVM is that there are no special licence requirements, meaning anyone can drive the truck, making it easier to attract and retain staff.

While EV solutions provide reduced operating costs over ICE-powered equivalents, less weight provides for greater efficiency while also being gentler on consumables such as tyres and service brakes.

From a regulatory perspective, trucks under the 4,500kg threshold may be subject to fewer requirements than heavier vehicles, such as driving time and other compliance obligations.

Elsewhere, in states where registration fees are based on weight, entering a lighter bracket will provide ongoing year-on-year savings.

Light trucks also have the added bonus of having access to restricted areas, where more cumbersome vehicles are prohibited.

Finally, lighter trucks are easier to maneuver from behind the wheel, especially in tight spaces, making them particularly well suited to working in urban areas and busy worksites.

Looking across Australia, a growing number of tradespeople are swapping their utes and pickups for the adaptability of light-duty trucks, and with it, the freedom to configure the trays in numerous configurations, which in many cases eliminates the need to tow trailers in the first place.

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Why Electric for Your Light Truck?

For a growing number of fleets, converting to all-electric solutions such as the Foton T5 EV simply makes sense.

Firstly, there are clear environmental benefits—switching to zero tailpipe emissions helps you achieve your environmental goals, and having truly clean and green solutions in place enhances your brand – it is a major attraction for many prospective employees.

This said, simply being clean and green doesn’t count for much if the package doesn’t stack up financially and from a performance standpoint in the field.

From a financial perspective, The T5 EV makes a lot of sense - the model allows for a genuinely affordable entry into the EV truck market, with 20 per cent lower upfront and operational expenditure costs.

Eliminating diesel expenses provides ongoing savings, while fewer moving parts result in less maintenance and downtime, providing further value to owners.

Switching to an EV also gives you a much quieter workspace; while behind the wheel, drivers can enjoy smooth acceleration, fewer vibrations, heat and no fumes.

Additionally, regenerative braking assists in extending the life of service brakes and improves overall vehicle control.

Adaptable to Your Tasks

The Foton T5 EV can be configured for practically any final application in the light-duty field.

Uptime isn't compromised for the package, with DC fast charging allowing for full recharging in 1.5 hours, or alternatively, the standard 11kW AC onboard charger can fully recharge the drive battery in just 7.2 hours, allowing for overnight turnarounds.

The T5 EV has a fully loaded range of 180km and offers a full safety suite, including a Low-Speed Pedestrian Warning System, a comprehensive electronic braking and stability support package, dual SRS airbags, reversing radar, and buzzer.

Supported by a nationwide dealer network from Cairns to Perth, all Foton EV trucks are backed by a 5-year/200,000km vehicle warranty and an 8-year/300,000km traction battery warranty.

All Foton trucks are supported by 24/7 roadside assistance provided by industry leader NTI Truck Assist for additional peace of mind.