Isuzu launches electric pickup truck in Europe

Following its premiere in the countries mentioned, the D-MAX BEV will also be offered in the UK, Australia, Thailand and other markets, according to the company. At least the launch in Thailand does not come as a surprise. Isuzu presented a prototype of its electric pickup at the Bangkok International Motor Show (27 March to 7 April). After all, Thailand is one of the largest international markets for pickups with a payload of one tonne.

The Isuzu D-MAX BEV has an all-wheel drive with 130 kW of power (40 kW at the front and 90 kW at the rear) in conjunction with a 66.9 kWh battery – the Japanese company does not go into more detail about its cell chemistry, only mentioning a lithium-ion battery. The maximum torque is a manageable 325 Nm, of which the front electric motor contributes 108 Nm and the one on the rear axle 217 Nm. The prototype shown in Bangkok has a payload of 1,000 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

Isuzu emphasises that the pickup was developed “to meet a broad range of commercial and passenger vehicle needs while retaining the tough underlying performance expected of pickup trucks.” The carmaker adds that “the full-time 4WD system with newly developed e-Axles in front and rear offers excellent performance on rough roads and a linear acceleration feel characteristic of BEVs – all while minimising noise and vibration. Furthermore, high towing capacity is ensured by adopting high-power electric motors along with a robust frame and body design, allowing the D-MAX BEV to perform just as well as existing diesel models.”

The carmaker has yet to release a price list for the electric pickup.

The D-MAX BEV is based on the combustion model D-MAX, which is now available in its third generation. Apart from a few blue elements at the front and the closed radiator grille, the electric version is also visually similar to the combustion model. Isuzu has designed the D-MAX as a “world car.” It is sold in over 100 countries.

To date, Isuzu has mainly been active in electric commercial vehicles and offers a battery-electric version of the Elf model, for example. In collaboration with Honda, the company is developing a fuel cell electric truck called the Giga Fuel Cell. Isuzu is also working with partners Toyota and Hinoon on an electric bus, which could launch this year.

Update 29 April 2025

Isuzu has started the series production of its D-MAX EV electric pickup truck in Thailand. The left-hand drive version will be built first and delivered to the most important European markets starting from the third quarter of 2025. This means that the Japanese company is on track to achieve the planned deliveries in selected European markets this year.

According to Isuzu, production of the right-hand drive D-MAX EV will start at the end of this year. The sales launch in the UK is planned for 2026. The launch in other countries and areas will be “based on market needs,” according to Isuzu. The Japanese company has not yet announced prices.

Some technical data has now been confirmed, long after the model’s premiere at the Bangkok International Motor Show in spring 2024. For the permanent all-wheel drive, there is now talk of 140 instead of 130 kW system output. The 66.9 kWh battery remains, which can be charged with a maximum of 11 kW AC or 50 kW DC (it should take one hour from 20 to 80 per cent). The WLTP range is 263 kilometres. In other words, if the 2.35-tonne electric pickup makes full use of the 1,010-kilogram payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity, the real range will be significantly lower.

The D-MAX EV as a crew cab model for the European market is 5.28 metres long, 1.87 metres wide and 1.81 metres high (including roof rails). The wheelbase is 3.125 metres.

isuzu.co.jp, isuzu.co.jp (update)