Isuzu unveils fully battery-compelled version of its one-tonne ute.

ONE tonne payload, 3.5 tonne towing, full time four-wheel-drive - and total reliance on electricity, feeding via dual motors fed by a 66.9kWh batter.

That’s the long-anticipated electric version of the Isuzu D-Max, whose global unveil has occurred at a commercial vehicle show in Birmingham, the United Kingdom, with introduction from early next year.

Save for obvious engineering changes to facilitate conversion to electric, the D-Max EV has the same body styling as the regular 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel D-Max we’ve known since 2020, and Isuzu is promising identical “work ready toughness.”

The electric motor that installs in the engine bay creates 140kW and 325Nm - so, the same power, but 75Nm less torque than the diesel.

Isuzu claims a WLTP range of 263km- so well short of the diesel - and while the 0–100kmh sprint time of just over 10 seconds which makes it slightly sharper off the line, top speed is lower, at around 128kmh.

The motors’ outputs are 43kW/108Nm front / and 97kW? 217 Nm rear). The battery integration beneath the ladder frame body appears to be the reason why the EV adopts a De-Dion rear suspension system instead of the diesels’ traditional leaf springs. Isuzu claims the EV will have good ride comfort and handling while contributing to a quieter cabin experience. It claims a 10 percent reduction in noise and vibration during full acceleration.

But this is no city truck. Full-time four-wheel-drive maintains and it has a Rough Terrain Mode for extreme conditions. Water wading up to 600mm, ground clearance of 210mm and off-road approach and departure angles of 30.5 degrees and 24.2 degrees respectively are cited.

The type is hitting Europe in premium trim levels, across extended cab and double cab configurations. The EV introduces a redesigned infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The EV features an updated suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) and has an eco mode, plus regenerative braking, to eke out range. The battery comes with an eight-year or 160,000km warranty in Europe.

Isuzu NZ has yet to offer any comment on the model.