Introducing Isuzu's D-Max EV - their award winning, versatile pick up - now electrified!  

If you're someone who follows pickups, commercial vehicles, or off-roaders with the kind of interest that borders on obsession (guilty!), then you’ll know the Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) is like Christmas for the utility sector.

 

But this year’s CV Show in Birmingham had something truly unexpected — something nobody saw coming, not even those of us who've been hands-deep in Isuzu lore for years.

 

Isuzu unveiled their first-ever all-electric D-Max.

 

No teasers. No leaks. No press drip-feed. Just a cold reveal. And it absolutely stole the show...Still a D-Max, Just Electric

 

Let’s start with the visuals. At first glance, the electric D-Max looks exactly like the diesel one — and that’s absolutely brilliant. You still get the muscular stance, bold grille, flared arches, and all the pickup poise you'd expect from the D-Max. No futuristic nose jobs, no design gimmicks to shout “I’m electric” from a mile off. And honestly? That familiarity is incredibly smart.

 

Because the truth is, making the move to an electric vehicle (EV) can be a daunting leap for many. Especially in the commercial vehicle space, where tradition, reliability, and rugged performance are key. So when you’ve got a truck that looks and feels just like its diesel sibling — but runs purely on electrons — it takes some of the fear out of the transition. This is evolution, not revolution. And it’s exactly what the working world needs right now.

 

Why This Electric D-Max Matters

Let’s get one thing straight: we’re huge fans of the D-Max. It’s one of our go-to choices for green laning, trail driving, towing — you name it. And we’re not alone. The D-Max has earned its place among the UK's favourite pickups thanks to its off-road chops, incredible durability, and no-nonsense utility.

 

But now, it’s stepping into a new arena — the electric era — and doing so in a way that demands attention.

 

Here’s why this matters:

 

This electric D-Max tows and carries just like the diesel version.

 

It looks and feels exactly like the truck you already trust.

 

It signals a future where no compromises need to be made to go electric.

 

And for a sector that’s been justifiably skeptical about EVs, that’s a huge deal.

 

Spec Deep Dive: What We Know So Far

Let’s be honest — Isuzu played this close to the chest. No leaks, no pre-launch hype. So the reveal came as a genuine surprise. At the time of writing, exact figures are still under wraps, but here’s what we do know:

 

✅ It Can Tow

Unlike earlier electric pickups — like the Maxus T90EV, which was a trailblazer but could only tow up to 1,000kg — this electric D-Max can reportedly match the diesel version's towing capacity.

 

That means you’re looking at up to 3.5 tonnes of towing power — proper trailer, caravan, digger-on-a-low-loader territory.

 

✅ Payload Capacity Remains

No compromises on the bed either. It’s still a proper work truck, with the ability to carry heavy gear in the back. It’s not a lifestyle EV pretending to be a pickup — it’s a real tool, designed for real jobs.

 

✅ Off-Road Capability

The D-Max is famed for its off-road talent, and early indicators are that the electric version retains 4WD capabilities and the same underpinnings — potentially with added torque from the electric motor. Translation? Even better grip and crawl performance when green laning or tackling tough terrain.

 

A Nod to the Maxus T90EV — And Why This Is Different

We’ve got a soft spot for the SAIC Maxus T90EV, which turned heads when it launched a few years back. But — and it’s a big but — its towing limitation was a dealbreaker for a lot of potential buyers.

 

It was smart. It was capable. But it didn’t quite deliver where it mattered most to traditional pickup buyers.

 

The electric D-Max appears to address that head-on.

 

Same payload. Same towing. No compromises. That’s a major leap for the EV pickup market, and it shows that Isuzu weren’t interested in just slapping a battery in a frame — they wanted to make a true D-Max, but electric.

 

Work-Ready Without Range Worry?

One of the biggest hurdles for electric commercial vehicles is range anxiety — especially for drivers who cover hundreds of miles a day, haul loads across the country, or spend hours off-road without a charger in sight.

 

While Isuzu hasn’t confirmed official WLTP range or battery specs yet, here’s what we expect (based on segment standards and unofficial murmurs):

 

Battery Size Estimated Range Charge Time (Rapid)

~85-100kWh 200–250 miles ~45 minutes (10–80%)

 

If that holds true, it would put the electric D-Max in a very competitive spot, especially if paired with fast charging and regenerative braking to boost range efficiency in stop-start use cases.

 

Charging Infrastructure & Fleet Viability

Let’s be real: even the best electric pickup won’t thrive without support.

 

So what’s crucial here is charging flexibility — and how well this fits into fleet environments.

 

Expect fleet-focused features like:

 

Telematics integration for battery management

 

Smart charging compatibility for depot fleets

 

Home wallbox and workplace charge support

 

Plus, Isuzu already has a wide dealership and servicing network across the UK — that’s key for maintenance, parts, and warranty support as fleets start to go electric.

 

One of a Kind — Literally

Here’s the mad bit: there’s only one.

 

That’s right. The electric D-Max on display at the CV Show? It’s the only one in the world right now. It’s a fully functional prototype, but production models are still in the pipeline.

 

So while we’re chomping at the bit to take it green laning, test drives are going to take a while. But the fact that it exists — and exists in this form — is a major statement from Isuzu.

 

This isn’t a concept. It’s a blueprint for the future.

 

When Can You Buy One?

No firm release date just yet, but insiders suggest a late 2025 to early 2026 launch window for initial production.

 

That aligns with the UK’s commercial EV acceleration timeline and upcoming emissions legislation that will begin affecting fleet operators from 2025 onwards.

 

The Bigger Picture: EVs That Work for Work

For years, the EV conversation has been dominated by passenger cars, city commuting, and charging at Tesco while you shop. But the commercial side of the equation? That’s been slower to evolve.

 

This electric D-Max could help bridge that gap.

 

Tradespeople? Now you can go electric without losing payload or toolspace.

 

Fleet managers? You get a reliable brand and real-world utility.

 

Rural drivers? You keep your 4x4 traction and off-road credibility.

 

And all of that — from one of the most trusted pickup builders around — might just be what finally nudges the needle on EV adoption in commercial spaces.

 

Final Thoughts: The Electric D-Max Could Change the Game

To say we’re excited about this truck would be an understatement.

 

We’ve driven the diesel D-Max up trails, through rivers, and across the Scottish Highlands — and if this electric version can deliver even half of that experience with zero tailpipe emissions and full towing ability? Then Isuzu have done something extraordinary.

 

And it’s not just about the truck.

 

It’s about choice without compromise. It’s about giving drivers the tools they trust, powered by something cleaner. And it’s about proving that utility doesn’t have to mean diesel forever.

 

This is a truck that doesn’t ask you to change who you are — it just changes how you get the job done.

 

So yeah, we’ll be first in line when that test drive opportunity finally comes around. Until then, watch this space — the electric workhorse revolution just found its champion.

 

 

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