VivoPower’s Tembo Launches KOVA, its 4WD All-Electric Dual-Motor Platform and Utility Pickup Truck
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Rhea-AI Summary
VivoPower (VIVO) has launched the Tembo KOVA, an all-electric four-wheel-drive utility pickup, through its electric vehicle subsidiary Tembo.
The five-seat, dual-cab truck will be available in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Nepal, targeting business fleets operating on rugged roads and off-road terrain. It joins the Tembo Tusker and EUV E-Power conversion models. The manufacturer-stated specifications include an 88 kWh battery, range of up to 510 km under the CLTC laboratory test cycle and 460 km under WLTP, and approximately 45-minute DC charging from 20% to 80%. Maximum payload is up to 1,200 kg and braked towing capacity is up to 3,000 kg. Specifications remain subject to change, local vehicle approval and final market configuration; maximum payload and towing cannot necessarily be achieved simultaneously.
Key Figures
- Battery capacity
- 88 kWh
- CATL LFP battery in the KOVA reference configuration
- Manufacturer-stated range
- Up to 510 km (CLTC) and 460 km (WLTP)
- Laboratory test cycles
- Peak combined output
- Up to 200 kW and 485 Nm
- Dual-motor 4WD drivetrain
- Maximum payload
- Up to 1,200 kg
- Manufacturer-stated; reduced by occupants, options and tongue weight
- Braked towing capacity
- Up to 3,000 kg
- Manufacturer-stated
- DC charging time
- Approximately 45 minutes
- 20% to 80% charge through a CCS port
- Estimated 4WD pickup sales
- Approximately 223,000 units
- Estimated 2026 sales across the four launch markets; all powertrains
- Estimated annual market value
- Approximately US$9 billion
- Four launch markets, all powertrains; not a forecast of Tembo sales or revenue
Historical Context
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Tembo reported its first vehicle fleet deliveries, preceding the KOVA platform launch.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
wltp technical
lfp technical
ccs technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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
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, Nov. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower PLC (Nasdaq: VIVO) (“VivoPower” or the “Company”), a leading B Corp-certified global developer and owner of powered land and data center 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
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 annualized pace of approximately 1,200 units in 2026. This still accounts for less than
The table below sets out Tembo’s estimates of new pickup truck sales in each launch country. Four-wheel-drive models account for approximately
Estimated 4WD Pickup Markets in Tembo KOVA Launch Countries1
| Market | All new pickups, 2026E (units)2 | New 4WD EV and hybrid pickups, 2026E (units)3 | New 4WD pickups, 2026E (units)3 | Est. market value p.a., 2026E (local currency)4 | Est. market value p.a., 2026E (US$)5 |
| Australia | ~209,000 | ~24,800 | ~186,400 | A | US |
| New Zealand | ~27,000 | ~2,950 | ~24,000 | NZ | US |
| Philippines | ~38,000 | ~2,300 | ~12,000 | PHP 26.8 billion | US |
| Nepal6 | ~4,180 | ~50 | ~1,030 | NPR 6.8 billion | US |
| Total | ~278,000 | ~30,100 | ~223,400 | n/a | ~US |
1 “All new pickups” covers every new pickup truck sold, both two-wheel drive (4x2) and four-wheel drive (4x4), across all powertrains. “New 4WD pickups” is the four-wheel-drive subset only, which is the segment in which Tembo KOVA competes. Two-wheel-drive pickups, which make up most of the pickup market in the Philippines and Nepal, are excluded from the 4WD columns and from the estimated market values.
2 Company estimates of all new pickup trucks, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Australia: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) VFACTS 4x2 and 4x4 pickup/cab-chassis segments under A
3 Company estimates. Australia: 2026E based on FCAI VFACTS January to October 2026 4x4 pickup sales plus November to December 2025 sales adjusted for the year-to-date change. New Zealand and the Philippines: estimated from industry light commercial vehicle data and model-level 4x4 shares, as no official 4WD pickup series is published. Excludes US full-size pickups. EV and hybrid 4WD pickups (a subset of New 4WD pickups) include battery-electric, plug-in hybrid (including externally chargeable range-extended) and full-hybrid 4WD pickups, and exclude 48-volt mild hybrids and two-wheel-drive models. These are rounded Company estimates derived from available sales, registration and import data and assumed model and drivetrain mixes, within estimated ranges of approximately 23,900 to 26,100 units for Australia, 2,790 to 3,115 for New Zealand, 1,400 to 3,400 for the Philippines and 30 to 85 for Nepal. Nepal uses fiscal year 2082/83 imports as a proxy for sales. Philippine 4WD pickup estimates include an adjustment of approximately 2,000 units for distributors that do not report to the industry association, and Philippine EV and hybrid estimates are particularly uncertain.
4 Units multiplied by estimated average retail prices including local taxes: Australia A
5 Converted at exchange rates on November 13, 2026: A
6 Nepal: estimated from Department of Customs pickup import data and an assumed 4x4 share. 2026E is fiscal year 2082/83 (mid-July 2025 to mid-July 2026). This period is not directly comparable with the calendar-year estimates for the other markets.
Expanding Fleet Electrification Options
Tembo KOVA joins the Tembo Tusker (
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 and a manufacturer-stated maximum payload of up to 1,200 kg and manufacturer-stated braked towing capacity of up to 3 metric tons (3,000 kg). AC and DC charging are supported through a CCS port, with DC charging from
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 ( | Approximately 45 minutes, CCS |
| Towing capacity | Up to 3 metric tons (3,000 kg), braked (within GCM) |
| Payload | Up to 1,200 kg (manufacturer-stated; reduced by occupants, options and tongue weight) |
| GVM and GCM | 3,520 kg and 6,520 kg respectively |
| Curb 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 center 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 center 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 ruggedized off-road, on-road and customized 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 optimize asset utilization. Tembo is a subsidiary of VivoPower.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes certain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the specifications, performance, pricing and availability of Tembo KOVA, anticipated interest from customers and fleet operators, the expansion of Tembo’s fleet electrification portfolio, estimates of the size, value and growth of the markets for new 4WD pickup trucks and battery-electric 4WD pickup trucks in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Nepal, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication. These statements are based on VivoPower's management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower's business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, and other factors set forth in VivoPower's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically in relation to Tembo KOVA, vehicle specifications and performance figures are stated figures that may be subject to change, range figures are based on the CLTC and WLTP laboratory test cycles and actual range will vary, and the timing, locations, pricing and ordering arrangements for the vehicle have not yet been finalized. Commercial availability in each market is subject to local vehicle homologation and regulatory approvals, with market-specific specifications, pricing, ordering arrangements and delivery timing to be confirmed. Market size, market value and electric vehicle sales figures are Company estimates derived from third-party industry and customs data, modeled assumptions, average retail prices and exchange rates as of November 13, 2026; they are not forecasts of Tembo KOVA sales or revenue, and actual market volumes, prices and growth may differ materially. Additional risks include reliance on third-party vehicle and battery suppliers; delays in or failure to obtain market-specific homologation and other approvals; changes to specifications following validation or customer trials; supply, logistics, warranty, servicing and parts constraints; charging availability; changes in vehicle taxes, incentives and energy prices; and failure to convert customer interest into orders, deliveries and profitable sales. Market estimates involve classification, reporting-period, pricing and exchange-rate assumptions, and historical figures are not forward-looking statements merely because they are described as estimates. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Contact
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media@vivopower.com
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Where will VivoPower’s Tembo KOVA electric pickup be available?
Tembo KOVA will be available in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Nepal. The electric four-wheel-drive pickup is intended for business fleets, including mining, agriculture, energy, construction, infrastructure, government and safari tourism.
What affects the Tembo KOVA’s actual range and charging speed?
Actual range and charging speeds vary with load, towing, terrain, weather and charger output. The manufacturer-stated range and DC charging times are laboratory or test figures. The CLTC test cycle typically yields higher range figures than WLTP.