First Look: Isuzu D-Max BEV – Dual-Motor With 66.9 kWh Battery, Launches In 2025

First official image of the Isuzu D-Max BEV prototype concept, which will be showcased publicly at BIMS 2024 next week.

It has been long tipped to happen, and it finally has. Earlier today, Japanese automaker Isuzu officially announced and revealed the first image of its new Isuzu D-Max BEV all-electric pick-up truck prototype concept.

With today’s revelation, Isuzu notes that the D-Max BEV was developed to meet a broad-range of commercial and passenger vehicle needs while retaining the tough underlying performance expected of pickup trucks.

Revealed today is a concept prototype, but a production-bound version will come later ahead of its planned 2025 market release. (Images: Auto.co.th)

The D-Max BEV is set to be shown to the public for the first time next week during the 45th edition of the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2024). The latter, set to be held in Thailand’s capital of Bangkok, begins on March 27 and is set to last until April 7.

Despite limited images and details, there are still plenty of things to note with the D-Max BEV. For starters, it appears Isuzu has developed a brand new electric drivetrain for the D-Max BEV, and it seems to be vastly different over the electric drivetrains primed in its Elf EV commercial trucks.

Isuzu developed a new dual-motor driveline dubbed 'e-Axles', which outputs 174 HP and 325 NM. (Images: Auto.co.th)

Instead, the D-Max BEV adopts Isuzu’s newly developed e-Axles dual-motor driveline that, firstly, delivers full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) designed to tackle rough roads whilst delivering linear acceleration. Secondly, it does all of which whilst minimizing both noise and vibration.

The front e-motor kicks our 40 kW (54 HP) and 108 NM, whilst the rear unit serves up 90 kW (120 HP) and 217 NM. Altogether, the D-Max BEV’s driveline is rated at 130 kW (174 HP) and 325 NM. For comparison, the current D-Max 1.9 turbo-diesel model outputs 150 HP and 350 NM.

Said e-motors are juiced by a single 66.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Details surrounding its charging abilities and range remains undisclosed for now, but this is widely expected to be revealed soon – likely when this EV pick-up truck is showcased at BIMS 2024 next week.

An image showing (presumably) the D-Max BEV concept prototype's 66.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor of the chassis. (Image: auto.co.th)

Instead, Isuzu elected to disclose other details like the D-Max BEV’s maximum payload capacity of 1,000 KG, towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, and its ability to hit a maximum speed at over 130 KM/H.

According to Isuzu, the D-Max BEV’s high towing capacity is ensured through the adoption of high-power e-motors mentioned, along with a robust frame and body design. In turn, this allows the D-Max BEV to perform just as well as existing diesel models, claims Isuzu.

According to Isuzu, it plans to release the D-Max BEV in select markets, namely Norway, the UK, Australia, and Thailand, starting from 2025. (Image: Auto.co.th)

Crucially, Isuzu has revealed initial market release plans for the D-Max BEV, and the firm intends to begin which sometime in 2025 starting with select European markets, in particular Norway – arguably one of the world’s leading EV markets – and the UK.

Following which, Isuzu intends to have the D-Max BEV rolled out in other key pick-up truck markets such as Australia and Thailand. Entry into other markets are subjected to both said market’s needs and maturity of its EV charging infrastructure, adds Isuzu.