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.
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