Isuzu boss confirms D-Max will launch its first EV in Europe.
Isuzu is jumping on the electric ute bandwagon, declaring that it will introduce a battery-powered ute for Europe.
The announcement was made by Isuzu’s President and COO Shinsuke Minami, who spoke at the unveiling of the updated Isuzu D-Max truck in Bangkok, Thailand: “Isuzu is actively taking efforts to realize a carbon-neutral society. Going forward, Isuzu plans to produce a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) pickup truck in Thailand.
“Isuzu will first introduce it in Europe and then examine its gradual roll out by meeting the needs of each market, including Thailand.”
Unfortunately, that was all Mr. Minami had to say on the matter. No technical details for the Japanese brand’s first-ever EV have been revealed yet, nor has a timeline for the ute’s launch.
We don’t expect Isuzu will be making a bespoke EV like the Rivian R1T or Tesla Cybertruck, and instead will make an electric version of its existing D-Max. We’ve already seen this done with the LDV T90 EV, which features a 150kW electric motor and a substantial 88.6kWh battery in place of the diesel engine found in the regular model sold in Asia.
The T90 EV is the only electric ute currently on sale in Australia, and Ford has confirmed the plug-in hybrid electric Ranger PHEV will be coming here. There have also been rumours that SsangYong – soon to be rebranded as KGM – will be launching an all-electric ute after it unveiled the 0100 concept at the Seoul Motor Show earlier this year.
But while Isuzu readies its electric ute, the faithful diesel D-Max remains on sale and has been updated. Earlier this year the D-Max received some subtle styling tweaks and interior changes, plus some new alloy wheel designs, the latest model unveiled in Thailand features a new seven-inch display for the instrument panel and an upgraded reversing camera.