Locked in: Isuzu D-MAX EV ute gets green light for Australia to fight incoming electrified Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

March 27, 2024April 3, 2024 John Mahoney 9212 Views ev, ford, HiLux, Isuzu, One-tonne, ranger, Toyota, ute

A near production-ready all-electric Isuzu D-MAX ute has been confirmed for an Australian launch as the Japanese brand attempts to head off electrified utilities based on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

Revealed ahead of the Bangkok motor show, exact timings for when the Isuzu D-MAX EV launches have yet to be announced.

But it has been confirmed that Australia will be among the first countries to get the new electric ute after production starts in 2025.

It’s no wonder why, as the Isuzu D-MAX remains Australia’s third best-selling pick-up after the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

Ford launches a plug-in Ranger in 2025, while Toyota is currently adding a mild hybrid to its aged current generation HiLux. A hybrid is expected when the new generation launches as soon as 2025, while a HiLux EV has also been previewed.

The D-Max will be among the first EV utes on the market, with only the underwhelming LDV eT60 on offer right now.

To be unwrapped alongside a D-MAX with a new mild-hybrid powertrain, that’s also hotly tipped to get the green light for Australia, the D-MAX EV blends zero-emissions with a proper one-tonne payload and 3500kg towing capacity.

As far as power and torque goes, Isuzu says the concept musters 130kW and 325Nm of torque, with the rear axle driven by a 90kWh motor, while front axle is driven by a smaller 40kW e-motor.

That compares to 140kW/450Nm outputs for the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel D-MAX and 110kW/350Nm for the 1.9-litre version.

No claims for performance have been released but Isuzu does say the D-MAX EV is limited to a top speed of 130km/h.

Powered by a 66.9kWh battery the all-electric Isuzu ute should be capable of covering up to 300km, although that figure is unladen. A typical D-MAX diesel range is at least double that.

Said to share its ladder-frame chassis with its diesel siblings – helping keep development costs lower – the new D-MAX EV gets a de Dion rear axle that’s claimed to improve off-road durability.

According to Isuzu, the battery that powers the D-MAX has been developed in-house and will go on to power its N-Series commercial range of trucks.

According to Isuzu, production of the Isuzu D-MAX EV will begin in 2025, with the battery-powered ute set to be exported to Norway first before sales begin in Australia, the UK and Thailand.

More details are expected following the full reveal of the production version of the D-MAX EV that could happen before the end of this year.