Isuzu D-Max electric car to share tech with N Series truck, but diesel still expected to be more capable option

Isuzu's incoming electric D-Max pick-up will borrow heavily from the N Series truck EV, but the Japanese brand still believes the tailpipe emissions-free ute will have limited uses.

Speaking to CarsGuide at this year's Japan Mobility Show, Isuzu Motors Limited Vice-President of Corporate Strategy Division, Konstantin Kriegelsteiner, confirmed the volume potential of an electric ute and light truck makes for a much more compelling business case.

"Of course, the general technology is shared, and it is created by the same team," he said.

"That's one of the benefits we have at Isuzu, is we have the LCVs, unlike other commercial brands. So, we have much more volume potential.

"That will give us an edge in electrifying, so light-duty trucks, they're high volume, and pick-up trucks or LCVs, they're high volume, if you only had heavy duty like it was the case at UD, you don't have access to that purchasing volume.

"So that's giving us an edge in particular."

Though Isuzu is yet to reveal exact powertrain details on the incoming D-Max EV, we can now expect it to mirror the N Series light truck, which features modular battery packs in 20kWh increments up to 100kWh.

The unique arrangement means the battery packs can be housed within the ladder-frame chassis of the N Series, though whether it would fit in the smaller D-Max is still be to seen.

Isuzu has stated it will stick to diesel powertrains for as long as it can.

With the maximum 100kWh battery pack in tow, the N Series will travel around 200km before needing a recharge, though expect that driving range figure to increase in the smaller and lighter D-Max.

Power outputs in the N Series EV hits 150kW and torque is yet to be disclosed, which compares to the current D-Max's 140kW/450Nm from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

However, Kriegelsteiner is well aware of the limited appeal of an all-electric ute, and recognises the many shortcomings of swapping out a workhorse's diesel powertrain.

"Pick-up trucks are often used in towing applications, you know you have a trailer," he said.

"Then suddenly your electric consumption goes up manyfold.

"With a diesel-powered pick-up truck, you accelerate more, you put on a little more weight, it doesn't extrapolate quite that much.

Kriegelsteiner said an electric D-Max would be a nice addition, but still believes diesel has a critical role to play in the ute market.

"So that is the biggest challenge in electrification, we agree, and that's why it will not be for every application and every market until we have more robust electric technology."

Isuzu has stated it will stick to diesel powertrains for as long as it can, even envisioning a future with carbon-neutral fuels to keep oil burners alive even up until around 2050.

Kriegelsteiner said an electric D-Max would be a nice addition, but still believes diesel has a critical role to play in the ute market.

"It [the capability of an electric powertrain] depends highly on your application, and how loaded, where is it driving, how much wind," he said.

"Electric vehicles are in general more – let's say – impacted by the boundary conditions, which is weather, wind, payload, and so on.

"And that's why we see there's still going to be a future for, I would say, diesel-powered applications."