Isuzu D-Max EV Concept to electrify pickup truck market

Those who have been dreaming of getting an electric pickup truck from Isuzu will not have to wait for much longer. Even before holding its big debut at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS), the automaker revealed the D-Max EV concept a week before the actual event.

Unveiled in Bangkok, Thailand, the all-electric pickup concept is our best look yet at the production version of the zero-emissions workhorse. In addition, it highlights Isuzu’s goal of having a carbon-neutral world in the not-so-distant future. Despite being billed as a concept, the prototype that was recently shown by Isuzu appears to be a thinly-veiled production version.

Its overall look and design are reminiscent of the facelifted pickup that was launched late last year. But unlike the turbo-diesel powered D-Max, the electric concept has a closed-off grille complete with light blue accents adorning the front fascia and LED headlights. It also gets a unique set of alloy wheels and decals that remind everyone this is a zero emissions Isuzu.

At the heart of the D-Max EV concept is a full-time 4WD system that gets a pair of e-Axles that not only deliver excellent performance off-road, but also linear acceleration while on the road. And since it doesn’t have an internal combustion engine (ICE), there’s little to no vibration and noise.

As far as output is concerned, the full-time 4WD pickup truck puts out 177 PS and 325 Nm of torque. While the 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbo-diesel delivers more power with 190 PS & 450 Nm of pull, do remember that the electric D-Max concept has instantaneous acceleration thanks to the electric motors. It also has a 66.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack although its exact range has yet to be revealed.

Despite not having a turbo-diesel heart, the D-Max EV concept can still tow 3.5 tons and has a carrying capacity of 1,000 kg.

When can we expect the Isuzu D-Max EV concept to go into production form? Isuzu says they plan to first launch the D-Max EV in Norway in 2025. It will then be rolled out in other markets like the UK, Australia, Thailand, and other countries based on market needs and the EV charging infrastructure.

Can we expect Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) to bring the D-Max EV in the coming years? Watch this space.