Watch out, Toyota HiLux 48V? Isuzu D-Max dual-cab ute to gain 'mild-hybrid' 48V variant in coming years - report

Utes with 48 volt - or more commonly called 'mild-hybrid' - systems integrated into their drivetrains could become the norm until manufacturers get around to traditional hybrid or electric utes, with a new report from Thailand suggesting Isuzu is planning to electrify the D-Max ute.

Thailand's Headlight magazine reported this week that the Isuzu D-Max, which is built in Thailand, is set to come with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine assisted by a 48V 'mild-hybrid' system in the near future.

While it's not clear if the 2.2-litre unit will replace the existing 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder as the smaller of the two engine options - the other being the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel - the Thai outlet says it should arrive before the fully electric D-Max.

According to Headlight, the electrified aspect of the engine will be a belt-driven generator, similar to that in the HiLux 48V - which Toyota actively avoids referring to as a 'mild-hybrid'.

The timing of the 48V version of the D-Max is up in the air, as the Thai magazine expects to see it arrive in around 2025, which it says would be two years before the full-electric version.

However, previous reports have said the electric D-Max variant will start production as early as 2025. The electric version, however, is officially being discussed publicly by Isuzu.

According to Headlight, the electrified aspect of the engine will be a belt-driven generator, similar to that in the HiLux 48V - which Toyota actively avoids referring to as a ‘mild-hybrid’.

While speaking to CarsGuide in late 2023 regarding the electric ute, Isuzu Motors Vice-President of Corporate Strategy Division, Konstantin Kriegelsteiner, confirmed it would share tech and elements with the N Series truck EV which comes with battery sizes in modular 20kWh increments up to 100kWh.

"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… the general technology is shared, and it is created by the same team."