The Isuzu D-Max, one of the most capable pick-ups on the market, will have a 100% electric version next year and will go on sale in Europe. A prototype of this new model is unveiled in Thailand next week before the production version arrives.
Although in Europe, the pick-up segment does not enjoy high sales volumes, and much less is there representation of electric cars within this type of market, in the United States, pickup trucks are one of the most in-demand types of vehicles. , which has led many manufacturers to electrify these products.
One of the most famous is the Tesla Cybertruck, although it is not the only one. There is also the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the RAM 1500 REV. In the Old Continent, although there is no representation of electric trucks at the moment, companies such as Volkswagen and Ford plan to electrify the Amarok and the Ranger in the future.
However, there is a brand that seems to have gotten ahead of the competition and is going to present an electric version of its truck that will go on sale in 2025, thus becoming the first electric pick-up in its segment in Europe.
This is the Isuzu D-Max, a truck that is currently sold in Spain equipped with a 1.9-liter turbodiesel engine with 163 HP of power, six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and 4×2 and 4×4 configurations. The Japanese model will receive an electric version in the coming months.
The Isuzu D-Max will have an electric version in 2025
The Isuzu D-Max EV Concept is a preview of the new electric pick-up that the Japanese manufacturer is working on. It is scheduled to officially debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand on March 27 before reaching the European market in 2025.
The zero-emissions version is based on the Isuzu D-Max 2024 revealed at the end of last year. It has the same ladder chassis as the model equipped with a diesel engine and equips a “permanent 4WD system with newly developed electronic axles at the front and rear.
Power comes from a 66.9 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers a pair of electric motors. The first of them is located in the front axle and produces 40 kW (54 HP) of power with 108 Nm of torque. The second goes to the rear wheels and generates 90 kW (122 HP) and 217 Nm of torque. The result is a combined power of 130 kW (177 HP) and 325 Nm of torque.
Although the approved range between charges has not been revealed, Isuzu said it will offer 1,000 kilos of payload and a towing capacity of 3,500 kilos, as in models with a diesel engine. As for its maximum speed, it will be 130 km/h, thus prioritizing autonomy.
On an aesthetic level, the Isuzu D-Max EV Concept sports a redesigned front with a faired grille that improves aerodynamics. There are several blue details to denote that it is an electric model, while the rest of the double-cab body does not appear to present any changes compared to the internal combustion version, except for the six-spoke wheels and 'EV Concept' badges.
Isuzu says the production version of the electric D-Max will be launched in “select continental European markets, such as Norway”, as well as the UK, Australia and Thailand, in 2025.
Along with the electric truck, Isuzu will present another D-Max prototype equipped with a light hybrid diesel engine in Bangkok, although it is not clear if this version will reach production.