Isuzu is readying an electric D-Max pick-up truck, and here’s what it’ll look like

Permit us a brief foray into the not-so-small world of electric pick-up trucks. Isuzu has revealed its intention to build a version of its longstanding D-Max powered solely by electrons.

Unsurprisingly dubbed the D-Max BEV, Isuzu has revealed a few renders of its incoming electric workhorse, designed to offer all the benefits of the thoroughly capable diesel-engined version without… the thoroughly rattly diesel engine.

The plan is to fit a 66.9kWh battery into the D-Max’s bluff body offering a max output of 130kW – the equivalent of around 174bhp. That’s spread across a pair of electric motors front and back for four-wheel-drive and “instant torque with a linear acceleration feel characteristic of BEVs”.

Though, linear acceleration is perhaps the least fun characteristic in a professional truck, Isuzu recognising this and pegging the top speed to 81mph. Sensible. We’re told the D-Max BEV will get a one-tonne payload and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, which broadly mirrors the ICE version.

We’re also told it’ll be just as happy trundling silently along “rough terrain while minimising noise and vibration”, to managing the urban commute. Plans are to launch the D-Max BEV in Europe next year, with potential to send it to the UK and other countries like Australia and Thailand “based on market demand”. And what that country’s EV infrastructure looks like.

“The Isuzu D-Max BEV represents a new era for pick-up trucks,” said Alan Able, Isuzu’s UK director, “combining the legendary toughness of the D-Max with electric technology.”

Isuzu hasn't yet mentioned a range estimate, so it could very well be a brief foray in this new electric pick-up truck. More as we have it...