With emissions regulations being tightened in most parts of the world, Isuzu is planning to release a fully electric (EV) pickup truck based on the Isuzu D-Max. Set to be produced in Thailand, Nikkei Asia reports that the D-Max-based EV will be launched in Norway, followed by Thailand and even Australia.
The electric Isuzu D-Max isn’t the first in its segment to toy with the idea of being fully electric, but it may be the first real one that also sells in large numbers. For context, Toyota has previewed an electric concept of the Hilux before. With the Isuzu D-Max controlling around half of the pickup truck market in Thailand, an electric version of it would be the best bet at transforming the segment.
What may have triggered the plan for an electric D-Max is the mass adoption of electric vehicles in Thailand. According to research from MarkLines, EVs in Thailand amount to 8% of new vehicle sales. The pace is likely to accelerate with the Thai government’s policies.
The Thai government subsidises locally-produced EVs, and as such it would make a lot of sense for the electric Isuzu D-Max to be made in Thailand. The D-Max is already produced in Thailand so the EV D-Max already has one foot in the door.
In Thailand, the Isuzu D-Max is sold in several configurations including a single cab, cub cab, and double cab with 4X2 and 4X4 drivetrains. There are even low-riding and high-riding versions of the D-Max. Engine options include a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. An electric D-Max will just be another option on the menu.
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In Malaysia, the D-Max variants include the single-cab, standard double cab, premium double cab, and x-terrain. All variants except for the X-Terrain can had with either the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine or the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. The X-Terrain is exclusively available with a 3.0-litre engine and an automatic transmission.
No technical details have been released on the electric Isuzu D-Max, but Isuzu has plans to bring it to markets like the rest of Europe (other than Norway) and even the Middle East.
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