Tembo Launches KOVA, Its 4WD All-Electric Dual-Motor Platform and Utility Pickup Truck
- Tembo KOVA is a five-seat dual-cab electric pickup truck with a motor on each axle, configured for demanding off-road and rugged on-road B2B fleet applications
- Tembo KOVA will be available in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Nepal
- 88 kWh CATL LFP battery with OEM partner manufacturer-stated range of up to 510 km (CLTC) and 460 km (WLTP)
- Payload of up to 1,200 kg, braked towing capacity of up to 3,000 kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3,520 kg and gross combination mass (GCM) of 6,520 kg
- Peak combined output of up to 200 kW and 485 Nm; DC fast charging from 20% to 80% in approximately 45 minutes through a CCS port
- Tembo KOVA sits alongside the Tembo Tusker and Tembo EUV E-Power (E-Conversion) models, giving fleet customers the choice of a new electric vehicle or electrification of an existing one
LONDON, UK / EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – 13 November 2026 – VivoPower PLC (Nasdaq: VIVO) (“VivoPower” or the “Company”), a leading B Corp-certified global developer and owner of powered land and data centre infrastructure for AI compute applications, today announced that its electric vehicle subsidiary, Tembo e-LV B.V. (“Tembo”), has launched Tembo KOVA, a new all-electric four-wheel-drive (4WD) truck. Tembo KOVA is intended for fleet customers seeking a practical electric utility pickup for demanding off-road and on-road applications, including mining, agriculture, energy, construction, infrastructure, government and safari tourism.
KOVA stands for Kinetic Off-road Vehicle Architecture, Tembo’s dual-motor electric 4WD pickup offering configured for demanding off-road terrain and rugged on-road fleet duty.
Kevin Chin, Executive Chairman and CEO, said: “Most of the fleet operator demand we see across our key markets is for 4WD utility pickup trucks, based on our in-the-field customer business development activities across multiple industries. The introduction of Tembo KOVA adds a 4WD electric utility pickup well suited to demanding off-road and rugged on-road fleet use cases, positioning Tembo to address growing customer interest driven by high and volatile diesel prices in our key markets. We are pleased to be able to offer the Tembo KOVA to fleet operators in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Nepal. In turn, adding a dedicated 4WD pickup to our lineup is expected to help Tembo compete in the fast-growing electric 4WD pickup segment and support its path toward profitable growth.”
Addressable markets
Tembo estimates that approximately 223,000 new four-wheel-drive (4WD) pickup trucks will be sold in 2026 across the four markets in which Tembo KOVA will be offered, with an estimated annual market value of approximately US$9 billion covering all powertrains, at current retail prices; these estimates are not the battery-electric market or a forecast of Tembo sales. Australia is the largest of these markets, accounting for approximately 83% of estimated 2026 units and 86% of estimated value.
Electrification of the 4WD pickup segment in these markets is increasing off a low base, with battery-electric 4WD pickups effectively absent in 2024 as initial offerings have only recently been introduced. Based on Company estimates derived from industry registration, import and model-level data, battery-electric 4WD pickup sales across the four launch markets are estimated to have grown from approximately 100 units in 2025 to an annualised pace of approximately 1,200 units in 2026. This still accounts for less than 1% of new 4WD pickup sales. In the table below, the EV and hybrid column is broader than battery-electric models and also includes plug-in hybrid and full-hybrid 4WD pickups.
The table below sets out Tembo’s estimates of new pickup truck sales in each launch country. Four-wheel-drive models account for approximately 80% of the approximately 278,000 new pickups estimated to be sold across the four markets in 2026. The 4WD share is highest in Australia and New Zealand, at approximately 89% in both markets, and lower in the Philippines and Nepal, at approximately 32% and 25% respectively.
| Market | All new pickups, 2026E (units) | New 4WD EV and hybrid pickups, 2026E (units) | New 4WD pickups, 2026E (units) | Est. market value p.a., 2026E (local currency) | Est. market value p.a., 2026E (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ~209,000 | ~24,800 | ~186,400 | A$11.2 billion | US$7.7 billion |
| New Zealand | ~27,000 | ~2,950 | ~24,000 | NZ$1.48 billion | US$0.8 billion |
| Philippines | ~38,000 | ~2,300 | ~12,000 | PHP 26.8 billion | US$0.4 billion |
| Nepal | ~4,180 | ~50 | ~1,030 | NPR 6.8 billion | US$0.1 billion |
| Total | ~278,000 | ~30,100 | ~223,400 | n/a | ~US$9.0 billion |
Notes: Rounded Company estimates for 2026 across all powertrains, derived from industry sales, registration and import data (Australia: FCAI VFACTS, January to October 2026, annualised; excludes US full-size pickups). “All new pickups” covers two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models; the 4WD columns and market values cover four-wheel drive only. EV and hybrid 4WD pickups include battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and full-hybrid models and exclude 48-volt mild hybrids. Market values multiply units by estimated average retail prices including local taxes, converted at exchange rates on 13 November 2026, and are not a forecast of Tembo KOVA sales or revenue. Nepal is estimated from customs import data for fiscal year 2082/83 (mid-July 2025 to mid-July 2026), which is not directly comparable with the calendar-year figures for the other markets.
Expanding fleet electrification options
Tembo KOVA joins the Tembo Tusker (100% electric) and Tembo EUV E-Power (E-Conversion) models, giving fleet operators a broader choice of electric utility solutions. Depending on fleet replacement cycles, operating conditions and total cost of ownership, Tembo can support customers considering either a new electric vehicle or the electrification of an existing vehicle.
Tembo’s fleet engagement approach considers duty cycles, load requirements, charging needs and potential operational savings. Aftersales support, parts availability and application-specific requirements form part of those customer discussions.
Vehicle overview and key specifications
The five-seat dual cab combines an 88 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL with a dual-motor 4WD drivetrain, for a manufacturer-stated range of up to 510 km on the CLTC laboratory test cycle and 460 km on the WLTP cycle. The front motor delivers up to 70 kW and 165 Nm, and the rear motor delivers up to 130 kW and 320 Nm. Peak combined output is up to 200 kW and 485 Nm of torque.
Tembo KOVA has front coil springs, rear leaf springs, four-wheel disc brakes, a manufacturer-stated maximum payload of up to 1,200 kg and a manufacturer-stated braked towing capacity of up to 3 tonnes (3,000 kg). AC and DC charging are supported through a CCS port, with DC charging from 20% to 80% in approximately 45 minutes. Manufacturer-listed safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), stability control, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, hill hold, an electronic parking brake and front airbags. The cabin features a 12.3-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. CATL, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are trademarks of their respective owners.
| Tembo KOVA | Key specifications |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Four-wheel drive; front and rear motors |
| Battery | 88 kWh LFP, CATL |
| Peak motor power | Front 70 kW; rear 130 kW |
| Peak motor torque | Front 165 Nm; rear 320 Nm |
| Peak combined output | 200 kW; 485 Nm |
| Range | Up to 510 km (CLTC) and 460 km (WLTP); laboratory cycles, manufacturer-stated |
| DC charging (20% to 80%) | Approximately 45 minutes, CCS |
| Towing capacity | Up to 3 tonnes (3,000 kg), braked (within GCM) |
| Payload | Up to 1,200 kg (manufacturer-stated; reduced by occupants, options and tow-ball download) |
| GVM and GCM | 3,520 kg and 6,520 kg respectively |
| Kerb weight | 2,180 kg |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 5,624 × 1,920 × 1,865 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,513 mm |
| Ground clearance | 200 mm |
| Tray (dual cab) | 1,810 × 1,620 × 515 mm |
| Seating | 5 |
| Top speed | 120 km/h |
Note: Specifications are manufacturer-stated figures for the reference configuration and remain subject to change, local homologation and final market configuration. Maximum payload and towing cannot necessarily be achieved simultaneously. CLTC range, which typically yields higher figures than WLTP, and DC charging times are laboratory or test figures; actual range and charging speeds vary with load, towing, terrain, weather and charger output.
About VivoPower
Originally founded in 2014 and listed on Nasdaq since 2016, VivoPower is an award-winning B Corporation with data centre and powered land infrastructure across Norway, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. The Company’s mission is to be the independent, trusted partner for sovereign nations that develop and operate sustainable data centre infrastructure, ensuring sovereign control over power, data and national intelligence. In doing so, VivoPower helps sovereign nations bridge the gap between their energy assets and their AI ambitions by providing the Power-to-X infrastructure necessary to build and control their own domestic intelligence hubs.
About Tembo
Tembo provides electric utility vehicle solutions for ruggedised off-road, on-road and customised fleet applications across sectors including mining, agriculture, energy, construction, infrastructure, government and safari tourism. Its portfolio includes new electric utility vehicles and conversion solutions designed to help fleet owners evaluate electrification opportunities and optimise asset utilisation. Tembo is a subsidiary of VivoPower.
Contact
Shareholder enquiries: media@vivopower.com
