Electrified Isuzu D-MAX caravan-ready by 2025

Isuzu is plotting an entry into the burgeoning electric ute market with a battery-electric pick-up based on the Isuzu D-MAX set for release within about two years.

That’s the word from a new report by Nikkei Asia, which claims an all-electric Isuzu D-MAX will be ready for sale in Norway sometime in 2025, before it’s later released in Thailand – the same place it will be produced.

The report, which doesn’t reference any concrete sources, also suggests Isuzu is working on hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Isuzu D-MAX for markets lagging behind on EV uptake and/or infrastructure.

However, Isuzu Ute Australia has confirmed that an electric D-MAX is indeed in the works and will launch in the Norwegian market sometime in 2025, however, the local division said there’s nothing to confirm for Australia at this stage.

“While Isuzu Motors Japan have advised that they’re planning to introduce an electric pick-up (ute) in Norway in 2025, we have no further information to share at this point in time,” an IUA spokesperson said.

“That said, as part of our due diligence, IUA will continue to monitor the local needs and evaluate the reception of BEV LCVs and SUVs introduced by other manufacturers locally, and work with the factory to provide a product mix to meet Australian consumer needs.”

The spokesperson wouldn’t be drawn on any potential details of the electric pick-up but confirmed studies into electrified light commercial vehicles and SUVs were continuing at a global level, with all forms of electrification – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel-cell and battery-electric – all under the microscope.

When Isuzu Ute Australia launched the current D-MAX in July 2021, IUA Sales, Marketing and Fleet Director Koichiro Yoshida effectively told carsales the vehicle was package-protected for hybrid and EV powertrains, which would be made available locally when the time was right.

“Isuzu basically has technology especially in the small truck for the electric vehicle and also some of the hybrids,” said Yoshida of electrified versions of the D-MAX.

“So we are looking for the demand in Australia of when or how, if there is demand, and whether it’s hybrid or not, and depending on that demand we need to study to introduce such a model.”

Details of the zero-emission pick-up are next to non-existent at this stage, beyond the claim it will be “based on” the diesel D-MAX, meaning it will retain its traditional body-on-frame construction.

This bodes well for the upcoming D-MAX EV’s inevitable commercial applications, but not necessarily its off-road endeavours, if Isuzu follows LDV’s lead and fits it with a single rear-mounted motor as per the pioneering LDV eT60 4x2.

For reference, the LDV eT60 was the first and remains the only battery-electric pick-up on the Australian market, but the rear-drive electric ute is only good for up to 330km of driving and is hideously expensive at $92,990 plus on-road costs.

It’s almost a given the electric D-MAX and every other electric ute that comes to market in the medium term will be more expensive than its internal combustion stablemate, and that’s where hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology comes in.

With Toyota about to introduce a mild-hybrid HiLux, Ford preparing an electrified Ranger, and Mitsubishi plotting a hybrid version of its new Triton (with EV versions of all three utes expected to follow), it would make sense for Isuzu to get in on the action and follow its three biggest rivals into the world of electrification as soon as possible.

The upcoming Kia Tasman EV is also likely to have prompted Isuzu to attempt to establish an early foothold in the niche but emerging market, which will undoubtedly be big business in coming years.

But while the world waits for concrete details on the first zero-emissions D-MAX, our attention has turned to Mazda and whether it is planning an electric version of its BT-50 – a restyled and rebadged D-MAX.

Local representatives for the brand declined to comment on the subject when contacted by carsales, before reiterating that Mazda’s electrification focus was on the rollout of its new Large Product Group models including the CX-60, CX-90 and CX-80.

Whether or not Mazda delivers a BT-50 EV will likely depend on its supply contract with Isuzu. For reference, its previous product-sharing deal with Ford didn’t extend beyond the original previous-generation BT-50, which is why Mazda’s ute didn’t receive the same lifecycle updates as the old Ranger, leaving Mazda to locally develop a better infotainment system, for example.