{"id":75293,"date":"2026-07-08T13:18:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T17:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/?p=75293"},"modified":"2026-07-08T13:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T17:18:29","slug":"kgm-musso-ev-redefines-electric-pickups-with-suv-comfort-and-tax-efficiency-but-limited-utility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/kgm-musso-ev-redefines-electric-pickups-with-suv-comfort-and-tax-efficiency-but-limited-utility\/","title":{"rendered":"KGM Musso EV Redefines Electric Pickups With SUV Comfort and Tax Efficiency but Limited Utility"},"content":{"rendered":"

How Does the KGM Musso EV Redefine the Electric Pick-Up Segment?<\/p>\n

The KGM Musso EV enters a market niche that, until recently, has been both technologically stagnant and commercially peripheral. While the segment\u2019s limited roster\u2014comprising models like the Maxus eTerron9 and Isuzu D-Max EV\u2014suggests a lack of mainstream demand, the Musso EV\u2019s arrival signals a calculated bet on shifting regulatory, fiscal, and lifestyle priorities. The evidence suggests that KGM is not merely chasing incremental improvements but is instead attempting to reframe what a pick-up can be in an era of electrification and urbanization. By leveraging a platform derived from the Torres EVX SUV rather than a traditional body-on-frame truck chassis, the Musso EV departs from the utilitarian orthodoxy that has long defined the category. This structural choice yields a vehicle that is lower, sleeker, and more car-like in both appearance and ride quality, raising questions about the evolving identity of the pick-up itself.<\/p>\n

To what extent does the Musso EV\u2019s Range and Charging Capability Meet Real-World Demands?<\/p>\n

The Musso EV\u2019s 80.6kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, rated for up to 236 miles of range, positions it ahead of immediate rivals such as the Hilux Electric (159 miles) and D-Max EV (163 miles). However, the significance of this advantage is contingent on usage patterns. Short test drives suggest a real-world range exceeding 200 miles, but such figures remain sensitive to variables\u2014payload, driving style, ambient temperature\u2014that are often underemphasized in manufacturer claims. Rapid charging capability (10-80% in 36 minutes) and compatibility with 11kW home wallboxes address some practical anxieties, yet the absence of a truly fast-charging infrastructure in rural areas\u2014where pick-ups traditionally operate\u2014limits the Musso\u2019s utility for certain users. The inclusion of vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, while innovative, is more a nod to lifestyle marketing than a solution to core logistical challenges.<\/p>\n

Is the Musso EV a Viable Replacement for Traditional Workhorse Pick-Ups?<\/p>\n

On paper, the Musso EV\u2019s dual-motor setup delivers 234bhp and 250lb ft of torque, enabling an 8.0-second 0-62mph sprint\u2014figures that outpace its diesel sibling, the Rhino. Yet, beneath these headline numbers, a more nuanced picture emerges. The EV\u2019s payload capacity (690kg) and towing limit (2300kg) fall well short of the diesel\u2019s 3500kg benchmark. For buyers whose livelihoods depend on maximum hauling ability, these deficits are not trivial. The Musso EV\u2019s strengths\u2014refined ride, upmarket interior, and brisk acceleration\u2014are, therefore, more likely to appeal to lifestyle-oriented buyers than to traditional fleet operators or agricultural users. This bifurcation in target audiences exposes a structural limitation: the Musso EV is less a direct replacement for diesel workhorses than a reimagining of the pick-up as a dual-purpose vehicle, straddling the line between SUV comfort and light commercial utility.<\/p>\n

What Are the Tax and Cost Implications for Company Car Drivers?<\/p>\n

The Musso EV\u2019s fiscal proposition is arguably its most disruptive attribute. With a benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rate of just 4%, company car drivers could see monthly costs as low as \u00a330\u2014a stark contrast to the post-incentive landscape for internal combustion engine (ICE) double-cabs, which have lost their tax-advantaged status. The government\u2019s \u00a35000 Plug-in Van Grant further compresses the Musso\u2019s price to \u00a339,995 (ex VAT), undercutting rivals by a significant margin. However, this cost advantage is not universally applicable. The grant\u2019s eligibility criteria and the volatility of tax policy introduce an element of uncertainty; should incentives be withdrawn or restructured, the Musso\u2019s value proposition could erode rapidly. For now, though, the model\u2019s tax efficiency is a powerful lever for adoption among urban professionals and small business owners seeking to minimize operating costs.<\/p>\n

Who Stands to Benefit\u2014and Who Is Left Out?<\/p>\n

The Musso EV\u2019s design and feature set suggest an implicit prioritization of lifestyle buyers\u2014those who value comfort, technology, and image over brute utility. The interior, with its soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, and generous rear accommodation, is calibrated for private users rather than fleet managers. Yet, this orientation risks alienating the very constituencies that have historically sustained the pick-up segment. Farmers, contractors, and rural businesses\u2014whose needs for payload and towing capacity are non-negotiable\u2014may find the Musso\u2019s compromises unacceptable. Conversely, the model\u2019s lower running costs and SUV-like refinement could attract a new cohort of buyers who previously dismissed pick-ups as too crude or expensive to operate. The market impact, therefore, hinges on whether this latent demand for \u201clifestyle trucks\u201d is as robust as KGM anticipates.<\/p>\n

What Are the Broader Implications for the Electric Utility Vehicle Market?<\/p>\n

The Musso EV\u2019s arrival exposes a tension at the heart of the electric utility vehicle transition. On one hand, it demonstrates that electrification can deliver meaningful gains in comfort, refinement, and operating costs. On the other, it underscores the persistent technical and economic barriers to replacing diesel workhorses in high-demand applications. The evidence to date suggests that, under current technological constraints, electric pick-ups are best positioned as adjuncts to\u2014rather than outright replacements for\u2014the traditional fleet. As battery technology evolves and regulatory frameworks shift, this balance may change. For now, informed buyers should view the Musso EV as a credible, tax-efficient alternative for light-duty or lifestyle use, but not as a panacea for the full spectrum of commercial needs. The model\u2019s success or failure will serve as a bellwether for the segment\u2019s future trajectory, illuminating both the possibilities and the limits of electrification in the utility vehicle domain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"KGM<\/a><\/p>\n

Revitalised brand brings car-like refinement and tiny tax bills to the pick-up segment with new electric 4×4<\/p>\n

\n

While pitching its\u00a0new\u00a0Musso Rhino<\/a>\u00a0as a traditional workhorse, KGM\u00a0is venturing into new territory with its all-new Musso EV, an electric four-wheel-drive pick-up truck<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is a very niche segment: it\u00a0has only the Maxus eTerron9 and Isuzu D-Max EV for company, although the pool of electric pick-ups is set to expand with the arrival of the Toyota Hilux\u00a0Electric.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Unlike the Rhino, with its body-on-frame construction, the Musso EV borrows its platform from an electric car, the KGM Torres EVX<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Compared with the high-riding Rhino, then, the EV looks more\u00a0SUV<\/a>-like, with a noticeably lower ride height and longer wheelbase.<\/p>\n

It has a sleeker, cab-back stance and its styling is more aligned with KGM<\/a>‘s\u00a0range of SUVs rather than the Rhino\u2019s more rugged aesthetic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Musso EV is powered by a 80.6kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery that\u2019s good enough for up to 236 miles of range.<\/p>\n

On a very short drive around Oxfordshire, it returned 2.6mpkWh, which means it should cover more than 200 miles in real-world conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While its real-world range isn\u2019t outstanding, the Musso can still travel much further on a charge than the Hilux Electric (159 miles) and a D-Max (163 miles).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hook the Musso EV up to a rapid charger\u00a0and a 10-80% boost should take no longer than 36 minutes, or 10 hours if you plug it into an 11kW home wallbox charger.<\/p>\n

Plus, like Kia<\/a>\u00a0EVs, the Musso features vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, allowing you to turn the car into a giant charging station for small electrical appliances, such as a kettle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The dual-motor powertrain makes 234bhp and 250lb ft of torque for a 0-62mph time of 8.0sec. While that sounds fairly sedate, it\u2019s more sprightly than the diesel-engined Rhino.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And while performance tails off fairly quickly, it has more than enough pace for nipping into gaps in traffic and motorway slip roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The choppy ride that afflicts the Rhino isn\u2019t present here either.\u00a0The EV may\u00a0feel\u00a0more floaty, but it\u2019s more comfortable \u2013\u00a0although the low-speed ride can be quite brittle.<\/p>\n

The Musso EV has also inherited\u00a0the interior design of its SUV siblings, and overall it\u2019s more interesting and colourful than the Rhino\u2019s durable cabin.<\/p>\n

It feels modern and upmarket, with good use of soft-touch materials on the dash and doors, so\u00a0you could argue that it’s a more pleasant place to cover miles than the Rhino.<\/p>\n

The copper trim on the dash and the ambient lightning certainly help give it a premium vibe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t get to play around with the 12.3in central touchscreen much, but I got the feeling that it suffered from the same latency issues at the Rhino. It\u2019s easy enough to navigate around\u00a0but not particularly sharp or responsive.<\/p>\n

That said, it does come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which you\u00a0will probably use more often than KGM’s own software.<\/p>\n

And, like in the Rhino, you can swipe down on the main touchscreen menu to access the shortcut buttons to turn off the overzealous ADAS.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rear accommodation is more generous than in the diesel truck. Even though the bench is perched, head room is plentiful.\u00a0Even with the seat fixed to my driving position, I had bucket loads of leg room back there.<\/p>\n

I also preferred the Musso EV\u2019s backrest, which was slightly more reclined than that in the Rhino, allowing me to find a more comfortable position.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s quicker and more comfortable than the Rhino, the EV doesn\u2019t have the load-lugging credentials to make it a viable farmhand or workhorse. It can carry only up to 690kg on its back\u00a0and, while it can tow up to 2300kg, it’s\u00a0some way off the 3500kg hauling\u00a0ability of the diesel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Given that ICE double-cab pick-ups have lost their BIK tax-busting benefits, the Musso EV presents itself as a tax-efficient alternative. With the BIK rate at 4%, you could pay as little as \u00a330 a month to run it as a company car.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And because it qualifies for the government\u2019s \u00a35000 Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG), the Musso EV now costs from \u00a339,995, making it substantially cheaper than the D-Max EV (\u00a359,995) and eTerron9 (\u00a354,696).\u00a0<\/p>\n

It may not be your archetypal cargo carrier, but\u00a0the Musso EV is a credible alternative to an electric SUV.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to pinpoint exactly who it’s for\u00a0but, considering that it can travel much further than rivals and costs less than the Maxus, adventurous, lifestyle-focused drivers might like the idea of an electric 4×4 with a usable load bed and a decent range.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

KGM Musso EV<\/h3>\n

Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Comfortable, brisk and with tempting tax breaks, the Musso EV is a credible lifestyle truck, but compromised towing and carrying ability dents its appeal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specification<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Price<\/td>\n\u00a339,995 (ex VAT, including \u00a35,000 Plug-in Van Grant)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine<\/td>\nPermanent magnet synchronous motor x2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power<\/td>\n234bhp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torque<\/td>\n250 lb ft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gearbox<\/td>\n1-speed reduction gear, AWD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kerb Weight<\/td>\n2360 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-62mph<\/td>\n8.0sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Top Speed<\/td>\n110mph<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery<\/td>\n80.6kWh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Range and economy<\/td>\n236 miles, 2.5 mpkWh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CO2 and BIK tax band<\/td>\n0g\/km, 4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key rivals<\/td>\nMaxus eTerron 9, Isuzu D-Max EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75293"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75295,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75293\/revisions\/75295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}