Isuzu has taken a familiar workhorse and given it a very different powertrain.
The D-Max EV is the Japanese firm’s first fully electric pickup for the UK, but rather than turning it into a lifestyle vehicle, the focus has been on keeping the things that make the D-Max useful to farmers, contractors and other commercial users.
That means four-wheel drive, a payload of more than one tonne and the ability to tow up to 3.5 tonnes, figures that few electric pickups can match.
Based on the current-generation D-Max, the electric version looks generally familiar.
The big changes are underneath, where the 2.2 litre diesel engine has been replaced by a 66.9kWh lithium-ion battery and two electric motors.
The front motor produces 45.9kW and 115Nm, while the rear produces 103.4kW and 232.6Nm. Together they deliver 149.3kW, which is around 203hp and 347.6Nm of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels through permanent four-wheel drive.
Going from 0-62mph takes 10.1 seconds and the top speed is just over 80mph. More importantly for working drivers, the power delivery is smooth and immediate, without the noise and vibration of the diesel engine.
For anyone used to a D-Max diesel, the silence when starting the EV takes some getting used to.
How far will it go?
This is where things get more complicated.
Isuzu quotes a combined WLTP range of 163 miles, with the official city figure rising to almost 224 miles.
In practice, the distance available will depend on how the truck is being used. Carrying a load, towing, travelling at motorway speeds or spending the day working off-road will all reduce that figure.
For a farmer travelling relatively short distances between the yard, fields and local suppliers, 160-odd miles could be perfectly workable. For someone covering several hundred miles a week, it will require considerably more planning.
Charging is another consideration.
The D-Max EV can accept up to 11kW on AC charging, with a full charge taking around six hours from a three-phase supply. Using a typical 7kW wallbox, charging from empty takes around 10 hours.
DC charging is limited to 50kW, with a 20-80% charge taking around an hour.
That is relatively slow by modern EV standards, but for most whose pickups return to the yard each evening, it is less of an issue. Plugging it in overnight means it should be ready for the following day’s work.
Still built to work
This is where the D-Max EV starts to make more sense.
Electric pickups have generally struggled to retain the carrying and towing ability of their diesel counterparts. Isuzu has worked hard to avoid that problem.
The Extended Cab has a payload of up to 1060kg, while the Double Cab can carry 1015kg. Both versions can tow 3500kg.
The battery has been incorporated into the existing ladder-frame chassis, which has also been strengthened to cope with the demands of commercial use.
There are some changes to its off-road abilities, however. Ground clearance drops to 210mm, compared with 235mm for the diesel D-Max, while maximum wading depth is reduced from 800mm to 600mm.
The approach and departure angles remain unchanged at 30.5 and 24.2 degrees.
Rough Terrain Mode comes as standard and works with the permanent four-wheel-drive system to help maintain traction on difficult ground.
A different driving experience
On the road, the electric D-Max feels noticeably different from the diesel version.
There is no clattering diesel engine and no gear changes. Acceleration is smooth and the pickup feels considerably quieter when pulling away.
Isuzu has also changed the rear suspension, replacing the traditional leaf springs with a De Dion semi-independent arrangement intended to improve the ride and handling.
There are four levels of regenerative braking, selectable using paddles behind the steering wheel. At its strongest, the system allows the driver to slow the vehicle significantly by lifting off the accelerator.
Familiar cabin
Inside, there is no futuristic electric vehicle makeover.
The eDL40 retains the practical cabin of the conventional D-Max, with physical controls rather than everything being hidden inside a touchscreen.
The driving position is upright, visibility is good and the interior feels designed for working life rather than luxury.
The eDL40 comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen, a seven-inch driver information display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with DAB and Bluetooth.
Heated seats, dual-zone climate control, Bi-LED headlights and front and rear parking sensors are also standard.
Price is the sticking point
The eDL40 starts at £59,995 excluding VAT for the Extended Cab, while the Double Cab costs £60,995.
That is a substantial premium over the diesel D-Max, so the financial case will need careful consideration.
For a business, however, the one-tonne-plus payload is important because it retains the D-Max’s commercial credentials.
The battery is covered by an eight-year warranty, while the vehicle itself comes with five years or 125,000 miles of cover, plus five years of UK and European roadside assistance.
Verdict
The D-Max EV is unlikely to replace diesel for every farmer.
Anyone regularly covering long distances, towing heavy trailers across the country or working far from a reliable charging point will still find a diesel pickup easier to live with.
For those with predictable daily mileage, overnight charging and a genuine need for a one-tonne-plus payload and 3.5t towing capacity, however, it offers something most electric pickups currently cannot.
It is quieter and smoother than the diesel D-Max, retains permanent four-wheel drive and still feels like a proper working pickup.
The limited range, slow rapid charging and high purchase price are significant drawbacks, but for the right type of farm or commercial operation, the D-Max EV could provide a realistic way to reduce emissions without giving up the ability to carry, tow and work off-road.
It is not the electric pickup for everyone, but for those it suits, Isuzu has managed to make an electric D-Max that still feels like a D-Max.
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