The van you see in the photos is not a previous generation Toyota HiAce, but the fully electric Joylong E6 from China that is already available in the Australian market. In fact, the new model is the EV variant of the ICE-powered Joylong A-Series vans which have been produced in China since 2009.
The design similarities between the Joylong and the Toyota are more than evident, with the cab-over vans looking almost identical. In fact, the only difference we can spot is the slightly more aggressive angle of the headlights, the grille and the slightly different taillights. From the official photos, we can see that the Joylong is available with two different bumper designs. Still, Australians who are used to seeing HiAce vans roaming their streets will probably mistake the Joylong for a Toyota.
See Also: Man Gives Toyota HiAce Taxi Van A Lambo-Inspired Body Kit And A 592 HP Twin-Turbo V12
Initially, we thought that the Chinese company had an agreement for licensing the design since the parts look interchangeable. However, according to Wikipedia, Joylong has never worked with Toyota, unlike other Chinese automakers who are indeed producing and selling rebadged HiAce vans. We guess that Toyota doesn’t care anymore, having sold so so many units of the fifth-gen HiAce (H200) since 2004. Moreover, the Japanese automaker revealed an all-new sixth-gen HiAce (H300) in 2019.
Back to the Joylong E6, it has an identical footprint with the ICE-powered A6, measuring 5,990 mm (235.8 inches) long, 1,880 mm (74 inches) wide, and 2,320 mm (91.3 inches) tall, with a stretched wheelbase of 3,720 mm (146.5 inches). It is available in 12-seater and 14-seater variants, with the former being the maximum one can drive in Australia with a regular driver’s licence.
The interior is also a blatant copy of the HiAce, with standard equipment including a small infotainment touchscreen, a reversing camera, independent front and rear air-conditioning, electrically deployable side steps, foldable rear seats, and a six-speaker sound system. Safety is rather basic, with front airbags, ABS, EBD, and disc brakes – don’t expect to find any ADAS in a Joylong since this is clearly no VW ID. Buzz Robotaxi.
In terms of powertrain, the E6 is fitted with an electric motor producing 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and up to 382 Nm (282 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear axle. The 86.1 kWh liquid-cooled battery is good for an advertised range of 300 km (186 miles) in the urban cycle, and 280 km (174 miles) on the highway with a full load. Joylonng says that the battery pack is positioned low in the center, which makes “cornering a lot safer than in a normal bus”. Charging takes five hours in a 20 amp circuit and less than four hours in a 32 amp circuit.
For Australian buyers who are interested in buying a Joylong E6, prices start from $90,000 AUD ($64,867 USD). The model is produced in the Jiangsu Province in China, but the company suggests it has been thoroughly tested on Australian soil.
